By Cassie Carpenter for Dailymail.com 5:12 p.m. November 5, 2023, updated 5:40 p.m. November 5, 2023
- For assistance, please contact the National Eating Disorders Association at [email protected]
Karen Carpenter’s battle with anorexia nervosa, which began in the 1970s and ended with her untimely death at age 32 in 1983, is explored in a new biography titled “Lead Sister: The Story of Karen Carpenter.”
In January 1982, the emaciated Carpenters singer and drummer checked into the $6,000-a-month City Regency Hotel in Manhattan to begin six months of intensive therapy sessions with psychotherapist Steven Levenkron, each costing $100.
“Karen’s willingness to commit time and money demonstrated her initial commitment to therapy,” author Lucy O’Brien wrote in an excerpt published by THR.
“Her compulsive behavior had developed over time [Steven] knew it would take a while to drive them away. In one of their first sessions he discussed with Karen what she was taking to eliminate food and she admitted that she could take more than 90 Dulcolax at a time. Under his supervision, the goal was to get her to take less and eventually stop.
“He then asked her if she had taken anything else, and she admitted to taking 10 tablets of Synthroid, a thyroid medication, a day that would boost her metabolism.” Levenkron was horrified. An overdose of thyroid medication can lead to coma, convulsions and heart attacks. “Give me the bottle,” he said. “Karen handed it to him and he locked it in his desk drawer.”
Tragedy: Karen Carpenter’s battle with anorexia, which began in the 1970s and ended with her untimely death at age 32 in 1983, is explored in a new biography, Lead Sister: The Story of Karen Carpenter
When Karen – who won three Grammy Awards – argued, “I don’t need care. That’s how I’m successful,” Levenkron replied, “But you need care because you’re incompetent… because you can’t keep yourself alive.”
WHAT IS ANOREXIA?
Anorexia is a serious mental illness in which a person restricts their food intake, often leading to severe underweight.
Many also exercise excessively.
Some sufferers may experience binge eating followed by a purging reaction.
Those affected often have a distorted self-image and believe they are bigger than they actually are.
If left untreated, it can lead to loss of muscle and bone strength, as well as depression, decreased libido, and lack of menstruation in women.
In severe cases, heart problems and organ damage can occur.
Behavioral signs of anorexia include people saying they have already eaten or will eat later, as well as counting calories, missing meals, hiding food, and eating slowly.
In addition to weight loss, sufferers may experience insomnia, constipation, bloating, feeling cold, hair loss and swelling of the hands, face and feet.
Treatment focuses on therapy and support groups to promote healthy eating and coping mechanisms.
Source: Beat Eating Disorders
In September 1982, Carpenter noticed her heart was “beating funny” and was admitted to Lenox Hill Intensive Care Hospital on the Upper East Side, where she “weighed 37 pounds and was severely dehydrated.”
The Connecticut-born, California-raised musician had a life-threatening blood potassium level of 1.8 and her “digestive tract was so damaged that she had to be fed via an IV.”
“Although she had long resisted gaining weight, Karen sought care after her stay in the hospital.” “Over the next seven weeks, she gained 20 pounds, first through intravenous feeding and then by eating small meals,” wrote O’Brien in her 368-page book, which went on sale October 15.
“Karen began making plans for the next phase of her life and on October 28th she signed a divorce petition in her hospital room [from Thomas James Burris, whom she married in 1980]. “That was their declaration of independence.”
Weighing 100 pounds, Karen completed her treatment with Levenkron in November 1982 – three years less than he recommended – and presented him with a needlepoint canvas with the inscription “YOU WIN – I WIN.”
Carpenter’s last public appearance was with her big brother and bandmate Richard on January 11, 1983, at a gathering of former Grammy winners, and the siblings planned a tour for their final meeting on February 1.
The alto singer appeared “diligent and enthusiastic, eager to rebuild her life” before her parents Harold and Agnes discovered her “unclothed and motionless on the closet floor” of her parents’ Downey home on February 4.
Looking for help: In January 1982, the emaciated Carpenters singer and drummer checked into the $6,000-a-month City Regency Hotel in Manhattan to begin six months of intensive therapy sessions with psychotherapist Steven Levenkron (pictured in 2016), the Cost was $100 per session. Author Lucy O’ Brien wrote: “Karen’s (pictured 1981) willingness to invest time and money demonstrated her initial commitment to therapy.” Her compulsive behavior had developed over time [Steven] I knew it would take a while to drive them away.” When Karen – who won three Grammy Awards (pictured in 1972) – argued, “I don’t need care. That’s how I’m successful,” Levenkron replied, “But you do need care because you are incompetent… because you cannot keep yourself alive.” “Her digestive tract was so damaged that she had to be fed through an IV.” In September 1982, Carpenter noticed that her heart was “beating funny.” and was admitted to Lenox Hill Intensive Care Hospital on the Upper East Side, where she “weighed 80 pounds and was severely dehydrated.” ‘This was her declaration of independence’: The Connecticut- Born and raised in California, the musician gained 20 pounds in seven weeks in the hospital where she signed a divorce petition from Thomas James Burris, whom she married in 1980 (pictured). Weighing 100 pounds, Karen completed her therapy with Levenkron in November 1982 – three years away from what he recommended – and she presented him with an embroidered canvas that read: “YOU WIN ¿ I WIN” Carpenter made her last public appearance along with her big brother and bandmate Richard (R) on January 11, 1983 at a meeting of former Grammy winners and the siblings were planning a tour at their last meeting on February 1. Cardiac arrest: The contralto appeared “diligent and enthusiastic, keen to rebuild her life” before her parents Harold and Agnes discovered her “unclothed and motionless on the floor” of her parents’ home in Downey on February 4. Legacy: Karen left everything in her will to her now 77-year-old brother (pictured March 30), who oversaw the release of 14 Carpenters compilations and four posthumous records, including Karen’s self-titled solo album in 1996. Timeless Sound: The easy-listening pop duo, who signed with A&M in 1969, sold over 150 million records worldwide and had 35 Billboard Top 10 hits, including Close To You, Rainy Days on Mondays and We’ve Only Just Begun Carpenter Wonders himself in the trailer: “When I got sick, it scared the crap out of me.” I mean, whoa, except for the old 89 pounds there.
Karen went into cardiac arrest, her heart reportedly beating once every 10 seconds, and the cause of death was attributed to “emetine cardiotoxicity due to or as a result of anorexia nervosa.”
Carpenter left everything in her will to her now 77-year-old brother, who oversaw the release of 14 Carpenters compilations and four posthumous records, including Karen’s self-titled solo album in 1996.
The easy-listening pop duo, who signed with A&M in 1969, sold over 150 million records worldwide and had 35 Billboard Top 10 hits, including Close To You, Rainy Days on Mondays and We’ve Only Just Begun.
Richard battled his own demons in 1979 when he completed a six-week rehab stay at the Menninger Clinic in Kansas for a Quaaludes addiction.
Filmmaker Randy Martin’s documentary “Karen Carpenter: Starving for Perfection” is currently playing at film festivals and features audio of Karen admitting that she has an eating disorder.
“When I got sick it scared the crap out of me. “I mean, whoa, except for the old 89 pounds,” Carpenter marvels in the trailer.
For assistance, please contact the National Eating Disorders Association at [email protected]