Ascetic ideals and anorexia nervosa

The syndrome of anorexia nervosa is examined within the historical context of the ascetic tradition, with particular reference to the life of Saint Catherine of Siena.

Abstract

The asceticism that characterises anorexia nervosa, has received little attention in the literature. One reason for this omission may be our reluctance to transcend familiar paradigms. Asceticism implies a spiritual or religious foundation for the practices it denotes; moreover, the precise nature of the foundation is obscure. This paper examines the syndrome of anorexia nervosa within the historical context of the ascetic tradition, with particular reference to the life of Saint Catherine of Siena.