I have mixed feelings about Steven Levenkron, Karen's therapist who treated Karen in 1982. In his defense, Karen was persistent in being treated her way. She wouldn't do an inpatient program. She didn't take the recommendation of Cherry Boone O'Neil who had proven success with a Dr. (an actual doctor not just a therapist) who was on the west coast. She had this idea that she could speed up her recovery by going 5 times a week for therapy. I don't know that Karen was truly committed to recovery. It seemed she wanted a quick fix so she could proclaim herself cured and having gone through some effort and then go back to regular life. So Levenkron had his work cut out for him. He couldn't exercise any kind of direction because Karen was used to getting her way. Perhaps her expectation as a star.
What bothered me about Levenkron was his proclamation in a 1993 Current Affair interview that Karen was cured of her anorexic behaviors with the implication that he cured her. This is completely false. She was most certainly not cured. She was force fed and never learned how to nourish herself. Also he knows that he never really helped her resolve her issues. Karen went to the hospital when she physically couldn't survive anymore and interestingly checked herself out of the hospital when he was out of town. The she went back to California and started abusing ipecac. He knew all this and still declares her cured!
I also question his motives in publicizing his treatment of Karen. His meetings with her should have been kept confidential. It seems to me that he was seeking more publicity through the association with Karen in addition to his book and movie deals.
Hi Aurora,
ReplyDeleteI looked up Steve Levekron this morning to see if he was still around. The Carpenters Christmas music was the impetus. I met with Levekron while I was struggling through my own battle with anorexia. I had a friend who was being treated by him, who recovered as far as I know. I recovered without his assistance because my insurance would not cover his fee. I had an initial consultation with him....and he certainly seemed sincere enough at the time, although I did not see the Currrent Affair interview, I like you would question his need to speak about her at all. It seems he had the need to justify his treatment of her lest he be cosidered a failure. I have a problem with that...especially since he was speaking 10 years after the fact, when the details of her death were long buried and forgotten by most, especially in the media. He of all people should have been secure enough in his practice to understand that if a person does not truly have the desire or will to change, or simply cannot for whatever reason, then the therapists can only do so much. Her death was not a failure on his part anymore than it should be a refelction of Karens lack of will. No one will ever understand what goes on in the heart of someone like Karen, or what issues prevented her from giving up her anorexic behavior. It is not for anone to judge.......but surely Levenkron of all people should have known better than to speak publicly about any treatment he offered her.
Thanks for the comment. Very interesting to hear that you were treated by Levenkron. I have visited his office outside on East 79th Street in Manhattan. As of 2 years ago, he was still practicing. You have a point that he may have been looking to avoid a hit on his career by the publicity Karen brought to him. It bothers me a lot that he said she was cured when she left him. He must know that's a lie. I agree completely that her death wasn't the fault of Levenkron. Karen ultimately wanted to things to go her way even with her treatment.
DeleteLevenkron I believe was right when he said Karen's drug use, that of quaaludes for sustained periods of time wreaked havoc on her heart which ultimately caused her heart to stop. I don't think for one minute that the quaalude use, the other med use, and the combination thereof should be swept under the table. Why hide the fact that she had a drug issue...talking about it is the best way to deal with it. Obviously, the 1,2,3 combination of drugs and the other stimulants she was taking is going to have a dramatic impact on the heart and body.
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