Between sanctity and mental dysfunction: eating disorders in a historical perspective

Abstract

Eating disorders are a multifaceted and complicated phenomenon that affect people worldwide, but their understanding and treatment have evolved over the centuries. From a historical standpoint, eating disorders can be perceived in multiple stages, each of which has been linked to different cultural, social, medical, and psychological variables. The article outlines the various perspectives on this kind of condition, ranging from considering fasting to be a sign of holiness or possession to considering it to be a physical or mental ailment. Eating disorders came to the attention of scientists and clinicians approximately 200 years ago. They started researching the root causes and effects of these disorders, accounting for both psychological and biological factors. Numerous approaches to treatment have emerged, including psychoanalysis, behavioral therapy and family therapy. These disorders are now acknowledged as significant social and health issues. Simultaneously, new risks and concerns have surfaced, such as the media, consumer culture, or globalization's impact on how dietary habits and body image are formed. The article's historical viewpoint aims to demonstrate how attitudes around eating disorders have changed over time while also emphasizing the prevalent issue they have become in recent years.