mental illness in ancient rome mental illness in ancient rome 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. apulian pottery depicting lycrugus of thrace. an ancient greek king driven mad by dionysus. anxiety disorders