Case of Karen Carpenter
Virginia A Hess
PSY 410
December 12, 2013
Kelley Smith

Case of Karen Carpenter

Anorexia nervosa happens when an individual fixates on being thin. The individual with anorexia will become obsessed with the amount of food that he or she will intake. Individuals with anorexia usually decline to consume food as well as are in denial about being hungry. These individuals are also scared to get weight as well as view themselves in a bad way. They tend to avoid social situations that involve eating. These individuals suffer from different physical problems for example dizziness/fainting, dry skin, dehydration, constipation, as well as decreased blood pressure level (Hansell & Damour, 2008). This can also result in death like in the case of Karen Carpenter. This paper will be discussing her tragic struggle with this disorder.
Case
Karen Carpenter was an American singer who battled with anorexia nervosa in the 1960’s. Her struggle with disorder would bring eating disorders to the public and would later contribute to her death.
At an early age Karen was teased by her older brother being called “fatso”. Her mother also would make comments that made her aware of her flawed body figure. Her mother would remind her of the fact that big hips run in the family. At the age of 17 she lost 25 pounds.
Career
At the age of 19 Karen and her brother were signed to A&M Records. This would be the start to Karen being in the spotlight. Being in the spotlight made Karen more self-conscious. Even though her voice was a major contributor to them being popular, her family only supported and praised her brother. It was quite rare for them to encourage and give praise to Karen.
After being so successful, Karen began to be criticized by the media and her brother about her weight. This would lead to her to start dieting at the age of 24. Two years later she would have to cancel shows and be put on bed rest due to exhaustion. At this time, she had become addicted to laxatives and thyroid pills. During this time she was over exercising and not eating properly. At the age of 30 she married a man that she had only known for a short time. The marriage lasted less than a year. Later it was known that the reason for the end of the marriage was because the man was too controlling of Karen.
Treatment
Eventually Karen did seek help for her disorder. She would eventually gain 25 pounds with the help of her therapist in New York. However, when she returns to California she began to take ipecac to induce vomiting. She eventually would take a bottle of ipecac at a time. This is what helped contribute to her heart failure that took her life.
In the case of Karen Carpenter her constant feeling that she could measure up to her brother who she idolized and was favored by her mother help contribute to her eating disorder. Her family and social factors in her life is what lead to the death of one of America’s best-loved voices.
Psychotherapy can be quite beneficial in healing these problems. In this context, an individual can learn to alter bad eating habits, cope with demanding circumstances, as well as boost one’s interactions (Morris, 2010). In the case of Karen Carpenter her constant feeling that she could measure up to her brother who she idolized and was favored by her mother help contribute to her eating disorder. Her family and social factors in her life is what lead to the death of one of America’s best-loved voices. Even though Karen died early, her death help make people aware of how serious anorexia nervosa can be.

References
Hansell, J. & Damour, L. (2008). Abnormal psychology (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Meyer, R., Chapman, L. K., & Weaver, C. M. (2009). Case studies in abnormal behavior. (8th ed.). Boston: Pearson/Allyn & Bacon.