Britney Spears Just Won't Go Away

[buglover]

Originally Posted by prhoshay

There you go...trying to apply rational thinking to a person who is not rational. I'd be more creeped out if you could understand it. I'm sure you have developed into a great mother, but it's just not going to work that way for everybody.

I get that. And I know that there are really messed up people in the world. I think what I don't understand is when your life is out there for all to see and opinions regarding your actions are told, why she doesn't at least try to get better or do something about it. It's as if she likes being this way. That's the part I don't get.

[Google]

 

[Veruka]

Originally Posted by buglover

I get that. And I know that there are really messed up people in the world. I think what I don't understand is when your life is out there for all to see and opinions regarding your actions are told, why she doesn't at least try to get better or do something about it. It's as if she likes being this way. That's the part I don't get.

But it would require rational thought to recognize that A) Her life is out there for all to see and its not automatically adored and admired and B) she needs to get better.

[buglover]

True. I have never had the level of depression she has nor can I put myself in her shoes.

[MsDiva2007]

Originally Posted by buglover

I get that. And I know that there are really messed up people in the world. I think what I don't understand is when your life is out there for all to see and opinions regarding your actions are told, why she doesn't at least try to get better or do something about it. It's as if she likes being this way. That's the part I don't get.

If it was tbat easy we wouldn't have so many messed up people in the world. I think Brittany is past the stage of helping herself. I don't however see how publicly airing her self destruction is any help to anyone. I find it quite cruel to kick someone who is in obvious pain when they are down like she has been done by the media.

[buglover]

Brit's Parent Tried to Commit Her
Posted Jan 9th 2008 1:02PM by TMZ Staff

TMZ has learned Britney's parents -- especially her dad -- have been earnestly trying for months to get her committed into a mental hospital for a bipolar disorder.

We know Jamie Spears in particular has felt since last summer that Brit was suffering from a mental disease and not substance abuse. Jamie was looking for a way to push his daughter into a facility but she refused. Indeed, we're told she refused and continues to refuse to undergo a battery of tests that would officially diagnose the bipolar disorder.

We're told both Jamie and Lynne Spears believe Sam Lutfi, the guy who was inseparable from Brit until last week, was a prime reason she was refusing treatment. They are so mad at Lutfi they threw him out of Cedars last week.

[AJane]

Originally Posted by myrosiedog

There are different types of mania and different levels of it. What most people associate with the mania type of bi-polar is self destructive behavior (Brittany anyone?), but for some it can just be a period of incredible energy.

I believe it was Diane Sawyer that wrote a book about having it and how much work she would get done because she wasn't sleeping. I think it was her. It was a famous newswoman, anyway.

So sometimes people can channel it in an effective way and for others its destructive.

My experience with people suffering from mental illness is that it takes a long time for them to recognize that they really do have a disease, and it's an even longer journey before they understand that the only real treatment for their disease is to be on medication indefinitely - probably forever. Disorders like bi-polar/manic depression and schizophrenia get worse as people age. (Note - I'm not a doctor, I'm just repeating what sufferers and family members have told me.) It also takes a long time for people to be diagnosed, unfortunately. My friend's mom's doctors figured she suffered from manic depression for some 20 years before she was properly diagnosed. She self-medicated for years with alcohol during her down times. She's now almost 70 and has been in a nursing home for several years, as her illness eventually made her incapable of looking after herself.

And it can and does run in families. My daughter's godmother's mom was schizophrenic, and had her kids taken away from her early on. She spent much of her adult life institutionalized, and committed suicide after an escape from a treatment centre. Her son (our friend's brother) was also schizophrenic and also ended up committing suicide.

I have another close friend who was misdiagnosed several times. She's on meds and okay now, but she has an incredibly strong husband that she's been married to for nearly 30 years (I guess it's kind of a sad irony that her husband's dad committed suicide when he was a teenager).

That's a lot of sad stories, and since we really don't know what's wrong with Britney Spears, maybe they're not even applicable to this thread. If she's truly suffering from a mental disease, then I'm more inclined to pity her than to ridicule her. The longer she resists assessments and treatment, the longer she'll suffer, her children will suffer, and her family will suffer.

[myrosiedog]

Originally Posted by AJane

My experience with people suffering from mental illness is that it takes a long time for them to recognize that they really do have a disease, and it's an even longer journey before they understand that the only real treatment for their disease is to be on medication indefinitely - probably forever. Disorders like bi-polar/manic depression and schizophrenia get worse as people age. (Note - I'm not a doctor, I'm just repeating what sufferers and family members have told me.) It also takes a long time for people to be diagnosed, unfortunately. My friend's mom's doctors figured she suffered from manic depression for some 20 years before she was properly diagnosed. She self-medicated for years with alcohol during her down times. She's now almost 70 and has been in a nursing home for several years, as her illness eventually made her incapable of looking after herself.

And it can and does run in families. My daughter's godmother's mom was schizophrenic, and had her kids taken away from her early on. She spent much of her adult life institutionalized, and committed suicide after an escape from a treatment centre. Her son (our friend's brother) was also schizophrenic and also ended up committing suicide.

I have another close friend who was misdiagnosed several times. She's on meds and okay now, but she has an incredibly strong husband that she's been married to for nearly 30 years (I guess it's kind of a sad irony that her husband's dad committed suicide when he was a teenager).

That's a lot of sad stories, and since we really don't know what's wrong with Britney Spears, maybe they're not even applicable to this thread. If she's truly suffering from a mental disease, then I'm more inclined to pity her than to ridicule her. The longer she resists assessments and treatment, the longer she'll suffer, her children will suffer, and her family will suffer.

What you say is correct. It can and does run in families and often the sufferers are the last to know (the other family members usually are not) My brother is schizophrenic and I could post volumes on his struggles.

Brittany is lucky that in this day and age it is NOT a stigma to have a mental disorder like it once was. I was diagnosed with depression about 25 years ago and I would not tell ANYONE for years because it was a "shameful thing" to have that. But in the 25 years I've had it and taken medication for it, it has lost its social stigma. So getting treatment is easier, there are more good medications and people no longer think badly of you for having a problem.

And these kinds of problems are just as real as someone who has something like diabetes or hypothyroidism. It's not "all in your head" so to speak.

[Aranea]

I really hope that the judge in her custody battle will order her to undergo psychological testing/counseling. If she poses a threat to herself or others, she can be committed against her will. Given her rapid deterioration, that might just happen sooner than later.

[MamaC]

This is what I just do not understand. Brit has proven to the world that she is a danger not only to herself but to others. So why has she not been committed against her will?

After the events of last week, I thought that finally something good would come out of it. She would be in the hospital for 72 hours minimum. But, no, she was out the next day....and soon after that, she was in her car out on the road.

At least the judge has had the good sense to take away her visitation rights. Even with supervision, she was not capable of taking care of the boys.

I think if someone doesn't get on the ball soon (her parents, doctors, the cops/legal system, etc.) and gets her the help she truly needs, we will soon turn on the tube and have a repeat of the whole Anna Nicole newsflash saying that Britney is dead. It would not surprise me one bit to see that happening.

[Critical]

Originally Posted by Veruka

Another common bond in that list is that they live in LA. (well, I'm not sure about Jodie Foster - I THINK she still does). You can absolutely live in LA and not get stalked by the paparazzi.

I'm pretty sure Travolta lives in Florida, not LA. Regardless, you're right that it is possible to be a celeb and live your life in a way that doesn't court the paps at every turn. She's obviously addicted to the attention. Why else would she - in front of dozens of photographers - drive to the beach, strip down to her skivvies, run into the ocean and then get back into her car and leave? It's obvious she's got some serious mental problems that need to be dealt with. I can't think of any other celeb who has paps drive her around town. What the hell is that about?

I think the mistake Britney's family made with respect to Dr. Phil is that they expected him NOT to behave like someone out for himself. I have NO doubt that they contacted him because they probably think he's the greatest shrink in the world. News stories have mentioned how Jamie Spears practically worshipped Dr. Phil. I don't think they wanted the publicity so much as they thought he could really help Britney. They just didn't count on him trying to turn it into a profitable situation for himself. I don't love or hate Dr. Phil, but this was definitely opportunism at its finest. That being said, he was invited to the party by some very naive and ignorant people.