In ancient Rome, mental illness was thought to have been caused by divine punishment, demonic spirits, or an imbalance in the four humors. Ancient Roman doctors noticed patients with conditions similar to anxiety disorders, mood disorders, dyslexia, schizophrenia, speech disorders, among others. Anxiety was treated with Stoic practices similar to modern cognitive behavioral therapy, such as focusing on the present or analyzing the possible outcomes of a situation. Risk factors for mood disorders such as Bipolar disorder were thought to have been alcohol abuse, hypersexuality, aggression, and extreme emotions. Treatments included applying cool substances to the patient's head. People with intellectual disabilities were looked down upon, and they lacked legal protections. However, they could still function as laborers. People with possible schizophrenia were described by ancient Roman doctors and physicians, although they may have been describing mania instead of schizophrenia. Ancient doctors wrote that they should be treated with philosophy, intellectual activities, vomiting, leeching, bloodletting, and venipuncture.
Anxiety disorders
Roman doctors and philosophers classified severe anxiety as a diagnosable medical condition. The Stoics, which were followers of a Roman philosophy centered around using self-control to overcome negative emotions, theorized methods of handling anxiety. Their methods resembled cognitive behavioral therapy, which is a modern therapy for anxiety disorders. The Stoics would practice a technique known as negative visualization, which involved considering the worst possible outcome of an action or event, in order to prepare oneself for the consequences of it. They would also mentally rehearse how they would respond to such problems, and try to find a way to change negative situations into positive ones. The purpose of such practices was to train the practitioner to have little fear, and eventually allow them to remain calm in difficult situations. Seneca, a Roman stoic philosopher believed that to cure anxiety, one must focus on the present moment. Romans also used amulets to cope with anxiety and provide reassurance.
Galen, an ancient Greek medical doctor, had many patients with symptoms resembling Generalized Anxiety Disorder or Major Depressive Disorder, such as sweating, indigestion, palpitations, dizziness, fever, weight loss, insomnia, changing skin color, low heartbeat, and an irregular heartbeat. People with this disease are described as having a progression of anxiety and sadness. It was believed that such anxiety could result in death. Galen states that this syndrome emerges from an emotion he calls . The word is often translated as "distress" or "grief." Cicero, a Roman orator distinguished between , , and . , in his view, was worry about future events. , according to Cicero, was an outburst of emotion.
Plutarch, an ancient Greek philosopher and historian, describes an ancient Roman man possibly with scrupulosity, which is guilt or anxiety over religious subjects. It is commonly associated with Obsessive–compulsive disorder, and Obsessive–compulsive personality disorder. Only OCD is recognized as an anxiety disorder. This man is described as "turning pale under his crown of flowers," praying with a "faltering voice," and scattering "incense with trembling hands."
Mood disorders
Mood disorders were frequently described in ancient Roman medical literature. Greek doctors termed a condition resulting in poor appetite, lethargy, sleeplessness, irritability, agitation, and long-lasting fears and hopelessness melancholia, which is now known as depression. Roman doctors such as Galen believed this disorder also caused delusions, anguish, and cancer. Rufus of Ephesus wrote that Melancholiacs experienced episodes of fear, indigestion, and doubt. They also experienced delusions. He describes Melancholiacs believing they were pots, or that their skin had become parchment. Melancholiacs also experienced changes in appearance and behavior. Such as darkened complexion, protruding eyes, more hair, and disfluency. Rufus divided Melancholia into three categories. He defined the first type as the body becoming completely filled with Melancholy blood, the second was when only the brain was affected, and third primarily affected the hypochdonrium. Celsus, a Roman encyclopedist, believed that to treat this disease, bloodletting should be used. If bloodletting was not an option, hellebore should be used to make the patient vomit. In addition, patients should be provided with exercise, intellectual activities, and they should abstain from wine.
