"The Hippocratic texts of Greece (4th century B.C.) Described a 'disease of young women' beginning at about the menarche, characterized by amenorrhea, wasting away, great hunger, vomiting, depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety, aches and pains, and breathing difficulties. In the 17th through 19th centuries, a disorder known as 'chlorosis' was commonly diagnosed among young women. . . Symptoms included amenorrhea, appetite disturbance, depression, anxiety, headache, breathing difficulties, and insomnia, as well as disturbed body image. . . The 19th century disorder 'neurasthenia' was characterized primarily by nervous exhaustion, but several reports indicate that young females diagnosed as neurasthenic exhibited many symptoms characteristic of both chlorosis and the Hippocratic disease of young women." (1)

Anorexia is a disease that is often considered to be of the modern age. It is seen as a form of hunger in a time of plenty. In fact, however, it seems to be a disorder that has appeared under many different names throughout medical history. Perlick and Silverstein find a number of interesting connections throughout history with the appearance of anorexia and the social climate. Anorexia is most present in the face of increased educational and social opportunities, especially when contrasted with the opportunities available to the previous generation of women. Enormous pressure to achieve in the face of opposition seems to also be a part of the circumstances leading to eating disorders. Historically, women afflicted with the disorder have been seen as suffering from too much education. (2)

"A retrospective study of the medical records of people living in Rochester, Minnesota between 1935 and 1984 demonstrated that the prevalence of anorexia was relatively high among female born between about 1916 and 1930, decreased among females born in the 1930s, and then rose precipitously once more among females born after World War II, leading people to think it was a new disease." (3)

It is interesting that eating disorders became less prevalent among teenagers during periods of time when women were needed in the work force. Not 'permitted' or even 'wanted', but needed. The military mobilizations of the First and Second World Wars necessitated the introduction of women into the workforce. Propaganda during wartime often figured hard-working women (such as 'Rosie the Riveter'.) After the wars, when men returned and looked for work, females in advertisements became homemakers and child-rearers. What is interesting is that the belief that women were physically and mentally unsuited to paid jobs became institutionalized, an "everybody knows" thing, even though it was contrary to the propaganda of only a decade or so before. (As the most obvious sign of this belief, examine television shows popular during the 50's. Most people, even today, know June Cleaver and what she symbolizes.) Anorexia and related diseases have historically struck the intelligent, the gifted, and the scholastic; they are often raised in households where female intellect is not valued, or is considered a masculine trait; they often have male siblings who are praised for the very traits they are censured for; and are often contending with familial or social pressure to underachieve in academic areas. (4) In many ways this resembles the story of eating disorders today. Though the ideas of feminism have made great changes in the structure of society, individual attitudes are slower to change, and it may be some time before there is a decrease in the prevalence of eating disorders.

(1)Perlick, Deborah and Brett Silverstein. "Faces of Female Discontent: Depression, Disordered Eating, and Changing Gender Roles." Feminist Perspectives on Eating Disorders. Fallon, Patricia, et al., eds. (New York: The Guilford Press, 1994) p. 78-79.

(2)Perlick and Silverstein, 81-83.

(3)Perlick and Silverstein, 81.

(4)Perlick and Silverstein, 82, 84-86.