History of Bulimia: Greek Vomitoriums to Sorority Bathrooms

Contributor: Deanna James, LPC, R-DMT, from Castlewood Treatment Centers

Scattered historical references suggest bulimia and eating disorders, like many illnesses, have been plaguing¹ people since before we understood them. Ancient Egyptians have been described as purging themselves every month for three days in succession, believing that human diseases came from food.

Because people didn’t understand what caused disease, in the Middle Ages purgation was used as a remedy much in the same way Bloodletting was considered a popular treatment.

It’s also been suggested that Romans² would tickle their throats with feathers after each meal to induce vomiting and the idea of Roman or Greek vomitoriums has since become a common association. Vomitoriums did indeed exist, but the word historically refers to amphitheater passageways that “disgorged” patrons to their seats. The vomitoriums³ at the Coliseum in Rome were so efficiently designed, with 76 spectator entrances at ground level, that the entire venue could fill or empty 50,000 people in just 15 minutes.

How Eating Disorders Were Thought to Be in the Past

Eating disorders have existed for a long time, and have been documented worldwide. Aside from brutal medieval medical practices, Bulimia was thought to be a physical disease due to some kind of medical condition. Pierre Janet began discussing symptoms of bulimia in the early 1900’s in “Obsessions et la Psychasthenie,” describing⁴ a woman who engaged in compulsive binges in secret.

The first clinical documentation of bulimia was a paper published in 1979, the result of research that overeating and self-induced vomiting may have been common practices among otherwise normal female students attending North Americans universities. These findings are still prevalent today, where it seems the idea of Roman or Greek “vomitoriums” have made their way to sorority dorms.

How Thoughts Differ Today

Today we describe bulimia nervosa⁵ as a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder. People with bulimia may eat large amounts of food and then try to get rid of the extra calories in an unhealthy way. For example, someone with bulimia may induce vomiting or excessively exercise. Also people may purge after eating only a small snack or a normal-size meal; the symptom of over-eating does not have to be present.

In a poll⁶ done by People Magazine, of 500 co-eds, more than half of the young women respondents said they knew at least two schoolmates with an eating disorder. In a second poll, of 490 college health officials, 70 percent said the problem was “common” on their campuses.

Weight Is Just a Small Part of an Eating Disorder

Contemporary scholars⁷ point to cultural pressures for thinness, increasing depression and obsessive compulsive behavior, and increased dieting behaviors as precipitants for eating disorders.

Although it is not always discussed, vomiting does not necessarily cause an individual to lose weight. As with other eating disorders, weight is a small aspect of the overall mental health problem, which in the case of bulimia relates more to body image, emotional coping mechanisms and impulse control.

Colleges and universities have taken steps to address eating disorders among students by offering access to mental health professionals, specialized treatment programs, educational programs, and peer support groups.

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Eating Disorders on College Campuses

The overwhelming presence of bulimia reported⁸ on college campuses and in sorority houses in many ways is symptomatic of the impressionability of young women, the influence of negative peer support, as well as the lack of emotional coping skills. Many girls in a sorority, who have sorority sisters with eating disorders, describe feeling able to eat as much as they want and induce vomiting because the behavior is considered common.

Caroline Adams Miller, author of 1988’s My Name Is Caroline said in a 1993 interview: “Some college sororities are notorious9 for bulimia and anorexia. I’ve heard that some houses have plumbing problems because of all the vomiting going on.”

How the Vomitoriums and Bulimia Differ

It’s easy to see how the idea of the Greek vomitoriums could be considered the way it has been. The stories contrived that describe ancient people inducing vomiting, allowing them to return to gluttonous feasting, relates strongly to the predicament amongst college age women today. However lightly these practices have been referred to with stories of ancient vomitoriums, the real life effects of bulimia nervosa can be devastating.

Chronic self-induced vomiting can cause¹⁰ a variety of symptoms in the digestive tract, and in the mouth. The high acid content of vomit can damage teeth, the esophagus, intestines and can even cause blood vessels in the eyes to rupture. Constant monitoring of food and weight can become an obsession, and contribute to a cycle of stress and anxiety.

Ending the Harmful Cycle of Bulimia

It’s important to understand that Bulimia is about more than one’s relationship with food. It is a way to cope with unresolved feelings, life stressors or co-occurring mental health issues. The pressures young women face on college campuses to perform and be the best can put them at risk for the development of Bulimia.

If you or someone you know may have an eating disorder, there are constructive and effective ways to change this harmful cycle. Getting help through a university’s health center can be a good start, even if just to ask questions about how to talk to someone you suspect may have bulimia. Without help it can be nearly impossible to find a healthy pattern of eating and thinking body image, but with guidance and support, it can be possible to find balance and health.

Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!

Were you surprised about the history and longevity of eating disorders? Why or why not?

References:

1. Webster, I., M.D. The History of Bulimia Nervosa. Retrieved from http://www.mybodybeautiful.co.uk/Eating%20Disorders/The_History_of_Bulimia_Nervosa.htm
2. Blinder, B., J., MD.; Chao, K, H., B.S., M.A. (1994). “Bulimia Nervosa/Obesity A Historical Overview.” University of California, Irvine. Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior. Retrieved from http://www.ltspeed.com/bjblinder/publications/bulimiahistory.htm
3. Butler, S. (2012, November 20). Vomitoriums: Fact or Fiction? Retrieved from http://www.history.com/news/hungry-history/vomitoriums-fact-or-fiction
4. Engel, B., Psy.D et al (2007, February 2). Historical Understandings. Retrieved from https://www.mentalhelp.net/articles/historical-understandings
5. Hubbard, K., et. al (1999, April 12). Out of Control. Retrieved from http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20127911,00.html
6. Mayo Clinic Staff. Bulimia Nervosa Definition. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bulimia/basics/definition/con-20033050
7. Eating Disorders: Weight Control Out of Control. Retrieved from http://www.sportsdoctor.com/chg/eating_disorders.html
8. Akitunde, A. (2013, September 7). Eating Disorders and Exercise Addiction Controlled This Woman’s Life. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/07/eating-disorders-exercise-addiction-louisa-rae-hobbs_n_1862953.html
9. Plumbing Pudding. Retrieved from http://www.snopes.com/horrors/vanities/bulimia.asp
10. Pietrangelo, A. The Effects of Bulimia on the Body. Retrieved from http://www.healthline.com/health/bulimia/effects-on-body

Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on April 28th, 2015
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com