Eating Disorders: Treatment For Eating Disorders

Monday 22 October 2012

Treatment For Eating Disorders

Eating disorders have existed for a long time, and have been documented worldwide. The frequency of self-starvation and purging behaviors vary greatly across certain periods of history, indicating that certain combinations of social and economic factors often facilitate or inhibit these behaviors. Historical evidence suggests that anorexia and bulimia have existed since the at least the first century. During the time of Caesar (700 B.C.), rich ancient Romans overindulged at lavish banquets and then relieved themselves by vomiting so they could return to the feast and continue eating. Ancient Egyptians drew hieroglyphics that depicted their use of monthly purges to avoid illness. Persian medical manuscripts, and Chinese scrolls originating in early dynasties also describe ailments that are very similar to modern eating disorders. The vast body of tribal lore from Africa contains several stories concerning adults who fasted during times of extreme famine in order to save food for their children, and then continued to restrict their diet and were in danger of dying even after the famine was over.