All Things Britney Spears Part 4

[eve]

Respectively, it does not matter if you have the means, the adult age you are, or if there is help put there for you for the asking. If you cannot see the simple tree save for the forest, you cannot nor will ask for help. That is the difficulty of mental illness. Know it, seen it, and still have family members of an adult that cannot help their daughter because she is of legal age. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, literally. She is prescribed meds that she needs, but when she feels "well" she goes off them and problems arise again. This is unfortunately, typical.

Unless there is some "crime" or a threat to others, the longest a patient can be held is 72 hours. With an incident of "harm" towards others (unless proven true harm to self) it is 30 days max. If the person is over the age of 18, the family cannot do a thing to protect their family member unless well documented...for years. It's not that simple. Sadly.

It is not so easy as many seem to think it is. What my family has gone through over the last several years has been nothing short of heartbreak concern and having absolutely no choice but wait for the last shoe to drop (again and again and again ) because she is over the legal age of parental involvement.

I does not matter what your "status" is in life. Insurance or not, family involvement/intervention or not. It BS "thinks" she does not need help (no matter what level), no one can force it on her, no matter their love or commitment towards her.

Mental illness screws up the normal and healthy perspective of life. We cannot blame BS if this is the case nor can we blame her family. This is truly a nightmare for all.

I agree, if Britney is truly bi-polar, for example, or something even more severe, the prognosis is very complex. I think it is just made worse by her means and fame, in fact. Not the other way around.

I had a very close friend from childhood who was eventually diagnosed bi-polar (among other things, I think) after many years of struggle. She happened to be independently well-off as an adult and she had a lot more freedom to escape, in various ways, because of that, during the times she went off meds.

Also, she managed to collect hangers-on who were attracted by her wealth and background, who enabled and hindered her wellness whenever she spiraled. She was very intense, very strong-minded, very impossible.

When she was manic she did absolutely outrageous things. I could hardly recognize her. When she was low, she was so low, so lost, in such a dark place. She tried suicide from about 18 years old on.

When she married, at 40, we held our collective breath. It did not last. It was the beginning of the end. She kicked him out, he tried to hang in but was woefully unable to deal with her.

Three years later, she was dead, at her own hand. She left a note, "I can no longer see any light, anywhere, at the end of anything."

Eve

 

[OrdinaryLife]

I agree, if Britney is truly bi-polar, for example, or something even more severe, the prognosis is very complex. I think it is just made worse by her means and fame, in fact. Not the other way around.

I had a very close friend from childhood who was eventually diagnosed bi-polar (among other things, I think) after many years of struggle. She happened to be independently well-off as an adult and she had a lot more freedom to escape, in various ways, because of that, during the times she went off meds.

Also, she managed to collect hangers-on who were attracted by her wealth and background, who enabled and hindered her wellness whenever she spiraled. She was very intense, very strong-minded, very impossible.

When she was manic she did absolutely outrageous things. I could hardly recognize her. When she was low, she was so low, so lost, in such a dark place. She tried suicide from about 18 years old on.

When she married, at 40, we held our collective breath. It did not last. It was the beginning of the end. She kicked him out, he tried to hang in but was woefully unable to deal with her.

Three years later, she was dead, at her own hand. She left a note, "I can no longer see any light, anywhere, at the end of anything."

Eve

Eve, I am so very saddened to hear this. It is so very tragic to read her note, yet I do think that this was her truth for her. I am so sorry for your friends death.

Unless you witness or are somewhat involved with another's struggles, it is so hard to understand the complexity of mental illness. One does not have to be bipolar, manic depressive or the many other illnesses that are out there. There is no perfect fit (unless there is some MD who shall describe a perfect diagnosis out there for all of us to read, privy to BS's case and of course, you would have to wonder what MD would divulge such diagnosis) to mental illness.

I have had 1 female relative who suffered from severe PPD, another who has been diagnosed with mental illness and takes meds only to stop and run away from home (so painful wondering where and how she is living), and another who committed suicide. Unless you experience this horrible illness within your own family, you cannot appreciate the toll, the concern, the tears that it causes all who love them. And, to be stuck feeling helpless as their life is in constant turmoil.
It is not their fault. It is not our fault. It is no ones fault. It is mental illness that is the trickiest illness to treat.

I wish the very best for all involved.

 

[hockeymom]

There is a terrible stigma attached to mental illness,and I think it is because it is so complex. People can understand,"cancer" or some other illness,but just can't relate to how awful it is to suffer with some sort of mental problem.
When I 1st started working in the hospital,I felt like a failure as time after time,the same people would come in and out,like a revolving door. What I finally realized was that most mental conditions are not "cured" they are treated and managed,just like say diabetes. Even the patients didn't understand, leading to them going off their meds. and a trip to the psych ward.
There will be no quick fix for Brittany, especially if she has a true mental condition. She will need to get her head cleared ,put on proper meds and surround herself with people who will have her best interests at heart,not her fame and fortune. She has a long road ahead.

 

[SeekingJana]

I think Britney could be a positive role model for young adults struggling with the signs of serious mental illness IF she gets help. Wouldn't it be wonderful if her crisis turned out to help others live?

BTW, what I heard on TV today was not about her actually checking into another hospital. It was that her new boyfriend, a papparazo, has taken ' mature' photos of her, and of the two of them taken in the past couple of days and is brokering the photos to the highest bidder.

The end of the piece about the photos was the comment along the lines of- " She would have been better off to have stayed in the hospital".

Obviously, she's being exploited again. :doh:

 

[OneLostGrl]

Addiction can mimic bipolar disorder and any doctor worth anything knows they cannot properly diagnose anyone who is actively using. By using, I mean both legal and illegal drugs. I don't care if it's a prescription written by a doctor! From someone who is a prescription drug addict I'm here to tell you RX's can destroy your life just like Heroin or crack!! If Britney does have Bipolar disorder she will be impossible to treat, meds will not help her, until she deals with her addictions.

I also seriously doubt Britney has ADD- Ritalin is one of the hottest prescription drugs being abused out there right now. It is sold on the streets, people steal it from their siblings or from their children to either take or to sell it. But I'm sure she has a doctor like Anna Nicole did that if given enough money, will write her a script for whatever she asks for.

Now for the Bipolar issue... Of course I don't see into the womans private life but when Britney was making a fool of herself, partying with no panties, being a sh!tty mom, refusing drug tests, etc etc, I saw nothing "Bipolar" about that behavior... it looked to me more like addict behavior. However, this new behavior, holding her son hostage the way she did and laughing in the ambulance.. leaving her car in the middle of the street.. This behavior is making me re-think my opinion.

About the 72 hour hold- I have Bipolar disorder and have been held on many 'a 72 hour holds. Unless it is a suicide attempt or an attempt to harm another person you are usually let go before the 72 hours are up. It is usually "Up to 72 hours" like Jeana said. (here are the laws in CA- http://www.pai-ca.org/pubs/502401.pdf)

One last thing- to those of you who have people afflicted with Bipolar disorder (or any mental illness) in your life, please, do not give up on them.. they need your love and acceptance more than anything. They need to know that they matter to someone, that they are alive for a reason.

There are some good medications out there- I have been stable (and clean), on meds for over 5 years now and I know I cannot ever be without my meds- you'd have to kill me to get me to stop taking them!! There IS hope, I promise you- I am living proof!

 

[LinasK]

Addiction can mimic bipolar disorder and any doctor worth anything knows they cannot properly diagnose anyone who is actively using. By using, I mean both legal and illegal drugs. I don't care if it's a prescription written by a doctor! From someone who is a prescription drug addict I'm here to tell you RX's can destroy your life just like Heroin or crack!! If Britney does have Bipolar disorder she will be impossible to treat, meds will not help her, until she deals with her addictions.

I also seriously doubt Britney has ADD- Ritalin is one of the hottest prescription drugs being abused out there right now. It is sold on the streets, people steal it from their siblings or from their children to either take or to sell it. But I'm sure she has a doctor like Anna Nicole did that if given enough money, will write her a script for whatever she asks for.

Now for the Bipolar issue... Of course I don't see into the womans private life but when Britney was making a fool of herself, partying with no panties, being a sh!tty mom, refusing drug tests, etc etc, I saw nothing "Bipolar" about that behavior... it looked to me more like addict behavior. However, this new behavior, holding her son hostage the way she did and laughing in the ambulance.. leaving her car in the middle of the street.. This behavior is making me re-think my opinion.

About the 72 hour hold- I have Bipolar disorder and have been held on many 'a 72 hour holds. Unless it is a suicide attempt or an attempt to harm another person you are usually let go before the 72 hours are up. It is usually "Up to 72 hours" like Jeana said. (here are the laws in CA- http://www.pai-ca.org/pubs/502401.pdf)

I agree OneLostGirl!:clap: Thank-you for speaking with the voice of one who has experience, you have been there!

 

[LinasK]

BTW, what I heard on TV today was not about her actually checking into another hospital. It was that her new boyfriend, a papparazo, has taken ' mature' photos of her, and of the two of them taken in the past couple of days and is brokering the photos to the highest bidder.


Obviously, she's being exploited again. :doh:

Except, it's not Dr. Phil who's out to exploit her like everyone wanted to believe.

 

[Mygirlsadie]

I don't know if anyone else saw this but on the news it did say that she DOES in fact have Bi-Polar.. I don't know if this is something she has been diagnosed with awhile ago since we are not able to dig into her medical records or if this is something they just now diagnosed her with but according to the news she does have it. I pray for her but sometimes I just wonder if she is too far gone...

 

[txsvicki]

Does anyone who is familiar with BPD know if it can get worse when a person drinks alcohol? I know a nice person, whose on no medication for anything, who goes into rages if she doesn't get her way during and a day or so after drinking. Drinking affects her worse than anyone I've ever seen even though she doesn't drink real often. She's thrown things at people, tried to hit, called the police lying and telling them that the other person was threatening her, etc. I'm wondering if BPD causes this because she does have anxiety, some irritability, likes to shop quite a bit, always has quite alot of energy, restless, bored, changes jobs alot, but no deep depressions that I know of. The bad stuff didn't start until about Britney's age and when any drinking and going out partying started.

 

[Mygirlsadie]

txsvicki I am not sure either about the connection with alcohol and bpd but I do know that I know a lady who was diagnosed having bpd and the only time she is happy is when she is partying/drinking. During the week when her husband is at work and she is to be doing her normal everyday routine she cannot function. She calls her husband numerous times a day at work needing him to come home claiming she is suicidal she calls me crying saying she can't handle it etc etc..Come Friday when her husband is off for the weekend she hits the bottle has bbq's invites tons of people over and is happy and acts as if she has no problems in the world. I have had to distance myself from her because she is just to overwhelming for me to deal with. Her husband is in the Army and they are considering dishcharging him because of her. It's a sad situation.

Does anyone who is familiar with BPD know if it can get worse when a person drinks alcohol? I know a nice person, whose on no medication for anything, who goes into rages if she doesn't get her way during and a day or so after drinking. Drinking affects her worse than anyone I've ever seen even though she doesn't drink real often. She's thrown things at people, tried to hit, called the police lying and telling them that the other person was threatening her, etc. I'm wondering if BPD causes this because she does have anxiety, some irritability, likes to shop quite a bit, always has quite alot of energy, restless, bored, changes jobs alot, but no deep depressions that I know of. The bad stuff didn't start until about Britney's age and when any drinking and going out partying started.

 

[FlowerChild]

Does anyone who is familiar with BPD know if it can get worse when a person drinks alcohol? I know a nice person, whose on no medication for anything, who goes into rages if she doesn't get her way during and a day or so after drinking. Drinking affects her worse than anyone I've ever seen even though she doesn't drink real often. She's thrown things at people, tried to hit, called the police lying and telling them that the other person was threatening her, etc. I'm wondering if BPD causes this because she does have anxiety, some irritability, likes to shop quite a bit, always has quite alot of energy, restless, bored, changes jobs alot, but no deep depressions that I know of. The bad stuff didn't start until about Britney's age and when any drinking and going out partying started.

People with bi-polar - and mania and depression disorders - use both alcohol and drugs TO SELF MEDICATE. And they do "feel better" for a while - except that the drugs/alcohol are not controllable as to effect - they cannot "hold" themselves at the theraputic level.

If what I read is correct, Britney was diagnosed with ADD as a CHILD and is prescribed a stimulant. ADD does not go away with age - in fact, it often gets worse - at the same time the person's coping skills are improving with age and maturity so adults often appear "normal" to casual friends and associates. Obviously Brit did not suffer from BPD when she was prescribed the stimulant BUT having BPD and mania does not mean she can stop taking her ADD med.

MANY adults have, and are treated for ADD with associated Bi-Polar disorder (my DH, for instance) and they are prescribed Ritalin or Adderall. Britney is NOT getting a Dr to RX like it's nothing either - and not without a full medical history. Ritalin and Adderall are class 3 controlled substances. You can only get a script for a 1 month supply and a even then it requires a special, double signed prescription for a controlled substance be presented at the pharmacy by an adult with ID. You must return to the DR in PERSON every 30 days for your new script. Some kids do sell theirs BUT neither Ritalin nor Adderall is being prescribed by the bagful to rich spoiled girls - the controls are VERY strict and the pharmacy must report each script to several authorities - in duplicate. They even keep the paper scripts and all class 3 dugs in a safe at all times.

According to LE and the hospital Britney had theraputic levels of all the properly prescribed medication in her body when she "broke down". She may have mixed Vicodin and Adderall and Nyquil - but she was not "under the influence" of ANYTHING when taken into custody - the police recanted their accusations and Britney was released before 72 hours. Her drug tests are also "clean" - and I betcha they check for abuse of prescription drugs as well as illegal ones.

Brit is NOT high on anything - she is in a Manic death spiral...which is worse than any addiction! What is wrong with Brit cannot be "fixed" in rehab - she may mix drugs and take them at odd times (when she does take her meds at all) but it's increasingly apparent Brit is very ill - not addicted.

My Opinion

 

[CarpeDiem]

Spears family attacks Dr. Phil, You betrayed us:

http://www.tmz.com/2008/01/09/spears-family-to-phil-you-totally-betrayed-us/

 

[believe09]

Spears family attacks Dr. Phil, You betrayed us:

http://www.tmz.com/2008/01/09/spears-family-to-phil-you-totally-betrayed-us/

I won't say I told you so....:silenced:

 

[Floh]

Spears family attacks Dr. Phil, You betrayed us:

http://www.tmz.com/2008/01/09/spears-family-to-phil-you-totally-betrayed-us/

Well there we have it.

i wonder if Dr Phil will respond?

 

[CarpeDiem]

I won't say I told you so....:silenced:

Thanks. :blowkiss:

 

[believe09]

Getting back to BS dating her paparrazzo (who is married) for a weekend...She is demonstrating some incredibly self loathing behavior here...of course the guy is going to exploit her...she is not living in reality at the moment-what are her parents thinking? Someone needs to stop this poor woman in her tracks-some legitimate mental/physical health person needs to grab her, detox her and see what is left of her, poor soul.

 

[CarpeDiem]

Well there we have it.

i wonder if Dr Phil will respond?

I hope not.

 

[believe09]

Well there we have it.

i wonder if Dr Phil will respond?

He will say he is misunderstood, betrayed, tell the Spears to "get real" and then walk away holding his wife's hand....:angel:

 

[Floh]

Getting back to BS dating her paparrazzo (who is married) for a weekend...She is demonstrating some incredibly self loathing behavior here...of course the guy is going to exploit her...she is not living in reality at the moment-what are her parents thinking? Someone needs to stop this poor woman in her tracks-some legitimate mental/physical health person needs to grab her, detox her and see what is left of her, poor soul.

The talk is it isn't a real marriage, but a green card marriage.

in which case, will authorities follow up on this and kick him out of the country? as an example to all those who do the green card marriage trick?

happens an awful lot in the European Union too.

 

[believe09]

Ahhh, I am very familiar with that green card marriage thing-very popular around here...