Judy Garland Eating Disorder: Bulimia Or Anorexia, Health Update

May 2024 · 4 minute read

Unveiling the poignant reality of Judy Garland eating disorder, this article delves into the question of whether it was Bulimia or Anorexia while also providing an update on her health.

Revered as one of Hollywood’s most beloved figures, Judy Garland embodied true artistry with breathtaking performances across all forms of theater.

As Dorothy Gale in the film adaptation “The Wizard of Oz” (1939), Garland established herself as a force to be reckoned with across global audiences throughout her formidable career.

She demonstrated remarkable abilities as a singer, dancer and actress who could seamlessly transition between roles of different genres, effectively captivating viewers repeatedly.

Her exceptional contributions were recognized by winning many awards, such as the Academy Juvenile Award and Golden Globe.

Still, perhaps more significant was being recognized for making history with performances such as ‘Judy at Carnegie Hall’ (1961), which saw her become the first woman ever to win the Album of the Year award at Grammy Awards.

Judy Garland’s legacy endures because she has influenced generations through innovation that inspires many today across all realms imaginable within the entertainment industry.

Judy Garland Eating Disorder

The relationship between Judy Garland and food was an influential factor in her life that contributed significantly to drug addiction struggles that plagued much of her later career.

Throughout various stages of development up into adulthood, studio executives such as Louis B. Mayer put substantial pressure on Judy about how she looked physically instead of focusing solely on merit.

This form of bullying over Judy’s weight had mental and physical adverse effects throughout her life.

It led directly to an eating disorder condition whose symptoms manifested during peak career moments like concerts or film shoots.

The documentation from 1938, which included directives on Judy Garland’s daily food intake and detailed messages about her body measurements, ultimately proved unhelpful and exacerbated her negative self-image.

Instead of supporting them, such documentation only enabled and reinforced terrible thoughts about her appearance.

Another element that compounded problems was Judy’s mother providing medication early on for enhancing performance abilities or managing various stressors surrounding mental health.

This step was another roadblock in Judy’s healing from addiction issues.

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Does Judy Garland have Bulimia Or Anorexia

Judy Garland’s documented struggles with weight and food intake suggest she may have experienced bulimia and anorexia, influenced by industry pressures and body shaming.

 

Garland’s experiences of being bullied and criticized about her weight by studio executives indicate a potential struggle with body image and disordered eating patterns.

The intense scrutiny she faced and the pressure to maintain a certain weight could have contributed to behaviors associated with both bulimia and anorexia.

Reports of studio managers closely monitoring her food intake and exchanging memos about her weight gain suggest the possibility of anorexic tendencies, where she may have restricted her food intake to maintain a lower weight.

On the other hand, using pills provided by her mother to regulate her energy levels and sleep patterns could indicate behaviors associated with bulimia, such as using compensatory measures to control weight, including the misuse of medications.

Judy Garland Health Update

As of her passing on June 22, 1969, at the age of 47, Judy Garland’s health had been marred by various challenges.

The cause of her death was determined to be an accidental overdose of barbiturates.

Garland was found deceased in the bathroom of her rented house in Cadogan Lane, Belgravia, London.

During the subsequent inquest, Coroner Gavin Thurston concluded that the overdose was an unintentional result of self-medication.

Garland’s blood contained a significant amount of barbiturates, equivalent to ten 1.5-grain (97 mg) Seconal capsules.

The absence of inflammation in her stomach lining and the lack of drug residue suggested that the ingestion had occurred over an extended period rather than in a single instance.

The autopsy and subsequent investigations supported the notion of accidental death, as no evidence indicated suicidal intent. Garland’s death certificate officially stated that her passing was accidental.

Her physician also discovered a partially empty prescription bottle of barbiturate pills and an unopened bottle of 100 pills near her bedside.

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