Eating disorders started in the 12th and 13th centuries, but in the 20th century anorexia nervosa appeared, although rarely. During this time the famous Saint Catherine of Siena denied herself food as part of a spiritual denial of self. That was the first time that researchers discovered the first written descriptions of anorexia nervosa. “By the sixteenth century, ascetics were considered witches and burned at the stake” (“Catherine of Sienna”). This was the time where every action someone did that did not appear normal was considered to involve witchcraft. (Deans, 2011).
By the 1970s and 1980s many cases of anorexia started to appear. “The cases of anorexia and bulimia escalated in the 1970s and 1980s” (Hiripi, Pope, et. al, 2007). There were many cases appearing and many teenagers girls wanted to be thinner. There were also books starting to be published about these health problems. By this time the problem of eating disorders were more noticeable and health professionals started to take action making surveys to notice trends in the disorder. Doctors gained experience treating these conditions and had better ideas about the causes of eating disorders in the 1980s.
By the 1970s and 1980s many cases of anorexia started to appear. “The cases of anorexia and bulimia escalated in the 1970s and 1980s” (Hiripi, Pope, et. al, 2007). There were many cases appearing and many teenagers girls wanted to be thinner. There were also books starting to be published about these health problems. By this time the problem of eating disorders were more noticeable and health professionals started to take action making surveys to notice trends in the disorder. Doctors gained experience treating these conditions and had better ideas about the causes of eating disorders in the 1980s.