However, it was not until the late 19th century that mental anorexia nervosa was widely accepted by medical professionals as a recognized condition.
In 1873, Sir William Gull, one of Queen Victoria’s physicians, published a landmark article that used the term “mental anorexia nervosa” and provided many detailed case descriptions and treatments.
In the second half of the 20th century, German-American psychoanalyst Hilde Bruch published her work “The Golden Cage: The Enigma of anorexia nervosa.” The book created a wider awareness of anorexia among laypeople.
A major event triggering the discussion of the disorder was the death of popular singer Karen Carpenter in 1983. It caused the eating disorder to become a major media topic. The singer’s brother, her singing partner, set up a fund for research on mental anorexia nervosa. Other celebrities, including Jane Fonda and Lynn Redgrave, also began to share their experiences with the disorder.
