Michael Jackson: Anorexia, over-medication, and heart failure
I have to say how sad I am at the death of MJ. I have one of his CDs in my car CD player right now and I work out to at least 3 of his songs. I went to see Moonwalker in Dublin, Ireland in the late 80s as a teen, with my best friend. We were both insanely in love with him and argued over who he'd pick to marry!
We are all shocked - but are we surprised?
Michael has had problems with his weight and eating for a very long time. There has been a lot of talk about anorexia and concerns from his family and staff that he ate very little; sometimes just one small meal a day.
During his trial a couple of years back, he was emaciated. Some journalists remember being at the trial and wondering how he could even walk due to being so desperately thin. He did shuffle and sometimes needed the support of people around him. On other days he could actually dance and jumped up on a car.
Anorexia is a great enemy to heart health. It weakens the heart to such an extent that it simply gives out or goes into cardiac arrest. Karen Carpenter's anorexia lead to heart failure and of the 10% of anorexics who die from the disease, it's their hearts that just can't keep going. In fact, heart failure is the most common cause of death for those who battle anorexia. Here is what it does to a person's heart:
•Dangerous heart rhythms, including slow rhythms known as bradycardia, may develop. Such abnormalities can show up even in teenagers with anorexia.
•Blood flow is reduced.
•Blood pressure may drop.
•The heart muscles starve, losing size.
•Cholesterol levels tend to rise.
A primary danger to the heart is from abnormalities in the balance of minerals, such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphate, which are normally dissolved in the body's fluid. The dehydration and starvation that occurs with anorexia can reduce fluid and mineral levels and produce a condition known as electrolyte imbalance. Electrolytes (e.g., calcium and potassium) are critical for maintaining the electric currents necessary for a normal heartbeat. An imbalance in these electrolytes can be very serious and even life threatening unless fluids and minerals are replaced. Heart problems are a particular risk when anorexia is compounded by bulimia and the use of ipecac, a drug that causes vomiting.
http://adam.about.com/reports/000049_4.htm
Jackson had also battled addictions to pain medications and alcohol and it is thought that he was over-medicated and self-medicated right up to his death. These medications, along with what is highly suspected to be a form of anorexia, will surely be found to be instrumental in his death.
We must acknowledge that prescription drugs are still drugs! And just because they are prescribed by a doctor, does not make them ok to take. Like in any decent profession, there are people who can be paid enough money to do things that are immoral and illegal.
While Michael passed a lengthy physical just a few months ago, in order to get insurance for his come-back tour, it's possible to fool, or convince people that you're ok. And when specific doctors are chosen who may simply agree to whatever a bone fide superstar says, the problem gets shoved under the carpet until in resurfaces in the form of death.
It's a shame that it may take his death to bring this to light - yet again. But we have seen it so many times before. Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Anna Nicole Smith, Judy Garland. All prescription pill abusers.
Incidentally, the deaths of many of the great icons of pop culture have taken place at the age of 27. It's called the "27 Club" and includes Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix and Brian Jones (Rolling Stones). All deaths attributed to and stemming from, drug and alcohol abuse: and all at the age of 27.
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Do you, or someone you know, have experience with an eating disorder or addiction to medications/drugs? How did it affect you?
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Jennifer Manlowe, PhD
I thought I had read that MJ had respiratory problems recently. He was the first man I recognized as manifesting anorectic behavior. This was many years ago. I see eating disorders all around me and have a young friend who recently opened up to me that she is starting treatment for bulimia. She is very scared, studied to be a nurse and knows the dangers, but brave.
My daughter was in therapy for several years for bulimia with anorectic tendencies. Fortunately she began treatment at a young age. She is thriving and healthy and works every day to stay that way.
I absolutely do not believe that there is a place for blame in Michael's' death. I haven't wanted to write about this, particularly, but I find it necessary to clarify a few things for people.
First of all Michael was in the public eye since the age of 5. He was also abused physically and emotionally by his father throughout his childhood. Make no mistake -- emotional abuse can be just as horrible as physical abuse. With physical abuse, the abuse usually doesn't go on and on, there is usually a stopping point. A slap or a spanking and it’s done for the time. But emotional abuse is like water dripping on a stone. Self-esteem never gets a chance to develop when a person is severely emotionally abused.
Michael's father telling him what an ugly nose he had over and over was one of the precipitants for Michael's body-dysmorphic disorder.
Michael was depressed, had anxiety, was extremely thin, and had maturity fears. He didn't want to be fat. His appearance was of primary importance to him.
If we look at the symptoms of anorexia nervosa, we find that depression and anxiety are usually high, weight is low -- a BMI of 15.6 was Michael's BMI, and certainly maturity fears. This explains Michael's comfort in being with children. He personally had a soft, childlike nature. It is often said that a person stops growing emotionally at the exact age when the disorder started -- whether it's an eating disorder or substance abuse. The drug use is another matter. 40-50% of people with eating disorders can have substance abuse issues. With anorexia, as others have commented, drugs will definitely dampen the appetite.
Too often in our culture, people say, "Oh, he didn't have an eating disorder. He was just thin." Michael had too many etiological factors in his history for him to be "just thin." People have a picture in their minds of someone who is 60 pounds, but that is the extreme. Many more people are anorexic who look “just thin.” It is simply so sad about Michael that he wasn't able to get the help that might have changed his life.
Jeanne Rust, PhD
www.mirasol.net
www.edrecovery.com
For two nights after Michael Jackson's death I watched Michael Jackson videos on youtube. Here are a few.
Beat It
Billy Jean
Thriller
Michael Jackson & Brittany Spears live
From New York Times: great interactive timeline of Michael Jackson's life.
I've always loved his music and his distinctive and electrifying dance moves.
But I had never watched his career unfold chronologically before my eyes from first appearance as a dynamic little boy in the Jackson Five to the creative genius behind Thriller and beyond. His "We are the world" raised millions for starving children in Africa.
Yet at a low Michael was 91 pounds on a five 5'11" frame.
Michael Jackson may have been the ultimate "poor little rich boy."
Did he suffer from anorexia? Maybe. If he did, and I don't know that he did, it gives me a way to think about his life as well as his death.
Anorexia is not a stand alone illness. It is accompanied by and causes many infirmities. In my opinion, the most troublesome is the thinking distortions that develop from brain cell starvation. This can make a person be powerfully resistant to effective treatment, reach unreasonable conclusions about life situations and create painful chaos in relationships.
And, of course, starvation affects every organ in the body with catastrophic consequences. If Michael were anorexic he needed careful and nourishing refeeding.
But living in a more substantial body with more mind clarity would bring him into the reality of a world he could influence tremendously but couldn't live in personally. Body nourishment, while critical, is only the beginning. The whole person, body, mind and soul needs care and safety. With love and knowledge the person needs gentle encouragement and support to develop a healthy psychological sturdiness. That's what makes him or her able to be present in a healthy body and cope with and thrive in a challenging world.
Michael Jackson had more challenges than most of us can ever dream of. In my opinion he may have withdrawn from the world and tried to create his own world with his massive finances. But it could never be enough. The fires of his incredible talent and charisma lit up the world and may have also burned him up from the inside.
RIP Michael. I mourn for you. I hope your legacy includes not only your magnificent body of work but also an inspiration to others. I hope your life and your death will teach others to honor personal health, authentic and unique gifts and the need to continue to develop psychological sturdiness throughout life.
I'm listening to Thriller as I write this post with eyes tearing and feet tapping. Oh, Michael.
Joanna Poppink, MFT
www.eatingdisorderrecovery.com
I love, you, Michael.
I hope there is a better world for you somewhere, up, there !!!