Britney and Mental Illness: Sometimes We Can't Do What We're Expected to Do

Barbara,
Did you by chance mean a "special H*LL? Although I enjoy watching Dr. Phil and can frequently relate to his subject matter and guests, I DO agree that a one hour program isn't enough time to deal with many of the issues he tackles--especially "long sistance" A therapuetic relationship,IMHO, requires a RELATIONSHIP built over time spent in the same room. Very few issues can truly be dealt with ising the wide paint brushes of television programming and generalizations(">>>How's that working out for you?..."

Dr. Phil cancelled the show ...

... thank G-d.

Sorry, left out the "do." S/B didn't at all do well ...

regarding a post Therese quotes in her blog saying that Brtiney Spears can be the poster child for a "New America". Please! Is this society that perverted, empty, unintelligent et al that they need celebrities to make them pay attention?
What's next? Paris Hilton or the other one who has been in re-hab since G-D knows when and keeps on getting slapped on the wrist?
Are some so empty that need to focus on the excreta the media present as news?
Anyone around us is an example of what to follow or not, we are an example to others and to our children. What example are some presenting to their kids when they themselves, the adults, are focusing on celebrities and their problems? Are you going to expect them to take their lives seriously or with some respect?
Please!

Am I so empty that I look anywhere for inspiration?

Absolutely.

Sadly, mass media has equalized socio-economic groups; and with nuclear families living further and further apart, mass media brings the common denominator (I don't mean that disparagingly) into our homes. Sometimes it's one of the few points of connections an out of place New Yorker has in the cornfields of the midwest!

Fresh air?
Time Square!!

When I see someone struggle with identity issues --Britney, or whomever--I am looking at the experience and trying to gleen something intelligible from it. I'm happy for the gift of learning from that experience. As that quote goes...we learn from everyone, even "bad" role models...

I hope I can teach that way of looking at people and life, to my children, even if it means using examples from the media.

It's also less touchy then talking about a "crazy" relative....

But I digress:Yes, I know I am lonely.

I know that seeing someone, anyone, struggle with post-baby depression, eating disorders, whatever provides a cohort that I do not have, or necessarily even want at my family gatherings or (goodness, no!) a PTA meetings.

I find that I have so much to learn, that I can learn something from almost anyone.

wah-wah (Charlie Brown music...)

I am hurting, too. And lonely.

Somehow, it is depressing to me to read about someone who has so much at her disposal and feel sorry for myself.

Maybe she feels the same.

At any rate, it's all pretty sad.

linda-marie

Well you know life IS the ultimate soap opera! To be sure and honour sensationalism...every time something "big" happens who shows up but Dr. Phil! It's kinda like flies to s--t! Don't get me wrong, I like Dr. Phil but I wish he would perceive the household joke he's getting to be! I do feel sorry for Britney in spite of everything. Nobody chooses a mental illness which can lead to addiction, which can lead to a worse mental illness. It's holding a "tiger by the tail" and as of recent events you know where that leads. There's no immunity, no boundary that depression and all it's bedfellows can't cross.

Mark:

So is your future as a writer, or as a motivational speaker? :-)

linda-marie:

Obviously all the money in the world isn't helping Britney one bit. In fact, it's probably enabling her. So I don't think you need to feel being of modest means makes your situation even worse.

And that's a different issue, IMHO, than the health insurance and mental health parity and doctor bill fights each of us have every day.

(((Linda-Marie)))

I didn't realize until I saw your comment in the group that you were writing, not in frustration with Britney, but in your own pain.

Positive thoughts and energy headed your way from New Jersey ...

Larry

Being a mother to two daughters I feel a great sense of sadness for this beautiful, talented young woman. I believe she will find her way, although, it will be very bumpy. She just has too many of the wrong people guiding/taking advantage of her. If a Dr. really wanted to help her he/she would do it very quietly as not to gain notoriety.

I have a friend that received drugs for depression and ended up hooked on them really bad. Dependence on prescription drugs is just as bad as any other drug!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I really feel for her family. She maybe suffering from post partum depression. But she can pull herself out of it. She may need to get her self into a rehab that will help her deal with this. She is not the only one in this world that has been through this. When I was young we all went through something after our babies were born. But you didn't see us going really crazy like she has. We dealt with it and had to pull ourselves out. If she really wants help to get herself straight and get her children more often she will get herself some help. She is old enough to now the difference between right and wrong. And this is just wrong. Grow up and be a women.

Poor Sweet Brittany, I have bi-polar I illness. I have been medicated my entire life. Some of the medications worked; some of them didn't. When I found the right medications, life was terrific. When not, my life was in shambles. My 33 year old daughter is going through the same thing right now. She is not responsible for some of the terrible behavior she has exhibited over the past few years, but I feel she is responsible for finding the proper care just as Brittany is. Please seek the proper care. In the meantime, my prayers and thoughts are with Brittany and my daughter.

People need to give her her privacy. How can any one get their lives together when they are constantly under a microscope and hounded by the media. She's a kid and learning all her lessons at the expense of others entertainment. How would most people hold up under such scrutiny, Not very well I am afraid. Let's not judge. Support, compassion even better.

I think K-Fed is abuser. And britney doesn't know how to handle the situation. It's ok for him to show up at her house with a bodygard but she not allowed to show at his.

A lot powerful men play the role of helper, making the woman look crazy or out of control but all along are the abuser. Men often use these method to with custody. We still view everything from a sexist view. He behavior is no different then millions of men. Just look at our president and so on. However we see her behavior wrong in a woman.

I pray that Britney will survive this and that her story will spark a change in the way media/paparazzi is allowed to stalk celebrities. I cannot imagine living life with every moment, every mistake, every single aspect of your being broadcast and criticized every single day or your life. I cannot imagine not having a single place on earth where you can go and just be alone and anonymous. Years ago she was on camera crying and pleading for the media to give her some peace and let her have a normal life. It has only gotten worse and I can't imagine any of us faring any better than she has under the circumstances. Hollywood needs to band together and use this opportunity to forge a change in what the boundaries of intrusion into people's lives should be. They have a powerful enough voice to back presidential campaigns and the environment and other causes, maybe they should stand for their own right to human dignity as well. This isn't to say that Britney isn't responsible for her own actions, but it is to say that everyone has a breaking point and she's been relentlessly pursued into it. God help her.

Yes it is terrible when people can't see what illness is there and for what it really is and does to these people. My first husband was always in fear of crowds and people. which was deffinantly schitsophranic. It was very hard to deal with. He finally went to seek help and people there who were supposed to be professionals just told him that he needed a marriage counseler and to see his doctor for medication for Anxiety. He was hearing voices, he thought people were out to get him and me and our daughter. These people are crying out for help. Well sad to say two days after they told him that, he committed suicide. I had tried before all that to get him some help cause he was talking suicide and they said they couldn't do anything that he had to do it. Well now he is gone and they could have taken it and helped him. I do pray someone will really sit down and talk and listen to her pain and really lovingly help her.

I understand what Britney is going through....i too suffered from post purtam depression after having my son 5 years ago.
I was going through relationship issues with my ex at the time and after having my son i was going through alot of changes, i gained alot of weight and i wasnt feeling myself at all.I felt alone and depressed everyday i would cry, i was afraid of the unknown, i knew my relationship was ending soon and i felt a dark cloud over me.
I started to pray everyday for guidance and i had to get it together for my childrens sake..it was one the hardest thing i went through but with confidence and faith i am much stronger & happier now.I found myself and got to know myself even better and i've learned alot along the way.
I think Britney needs to find herself and pray for guidance and get herself out of this situation on her own.
I truly believe we all can get out of our misery or depression if we really want to.I am a firm believer of faith and prayers. : ) God is good.
To:Britney & others going through this,i truly understand what you are going through, but you have to be strong for you and your kids..it's possible....just believe.

I don't believe that anyone can acutally speak for the general population of mothers how do you know that there were not others acting the way that she. These other mothers are not one of the most famous people in the WORLD. So every move that she makes is photographed,video or whatever. So for someone to say grow up and be a woman how can anyone even say that. It is extremly sad that WE the people that watch her every move have pushed her to this total break down. Give her a break for pete sake. She has never been able to live a life of a normal person she has not been able to experience normal things as a child would. She has been used,exploited and abused. If noone can see that she is screaming for help then something is totally wrong. I am so sick and tired of people criticizing her for things that she has done. Walk a mile in her shoes and see how that works out for you I am pretty sure we would not last a day.I remember my mom saying if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all. As for Dr.Phil I have lost total respect for him trying to profit and gain popularity from this. He did not need to exploit her as well.As a therapist he took an oath and is not suppose to discuss these things I think he should be sued for breaking confidentiality.
What is comes down to is that she needs someone that she can trust to help her rebuild the things that she has lost mainly her children.Help her don't scrutinize her.

I hope the media will not pray on people with problems as for example Britney Spears... as she is basically having a health issue ...would they make that much fuss if she would having a physical problem such as pneumonia or cancer ??? Not at all. when/if Spears would suffer from a physical ailment instead of a personality or addiction issue won't be talking as they do about her..

So be more human and understanding and leave her alone !!!!

Ines

When all is said and done, life and living must go on. Children often do not survive or thrive because of what parents do, but in spite of what they do! It is our choice to be "proper" role models for children or not. In this case as in too many others the children seem secondary to the public craze of the "celebriti-zation" of our society. Making these children and the children around us in potentially at risk environments a petition of prayer is the least we can do, and very likely a positive role for us as we reflect on our own role in healing and wholeness for ourselves and our relationships. Let us keep the health and well being of the children foremost in our minds as we make our own choices, and we will not be so diverted by the media glitz and glammour.
Blessings and Peace.

My heart goes out to Brittany. To go through any type of mental illness is difficult enough, let alone to have to do it with the whole world watching and judging. That's all I have to say, except that my prayers are with her.

Dear Linda Marie,

Anti-depressant drugs are not habit-forming, so there need not be concern about that.

More importantly....

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

Please, let us know how you are doing.
To quote "Frashier"..."We're Listening." :-)

Your Cyber-Friends

I agree with the comments above. Britney is a very talented and beautiful person and she has a lot going for her. She has been going thru this she gave birth to her last son and nobody seems to notice it. Everyone is too caught on rumors, taking pictures of what, who and where she's doing something. This yound lady needs to be aroung strong positive people that can help her get her life back on tract. The people she have around her now doesn't have her best interest at heart or else they would've noticed it from the beginning and get her some help before things go this out of control. Everyone around her is trying to get a "Piece of Her" like her new some states. And as for Kevin, he's just money hungry. I don't know why she married him. Maybe she was looking for someone to love or be loved by. Who was Kevin before Britney, she practically took care of him and now he trying to bring her down and everyone looking at her like she the bad person when she's only the victim. Why is he fighting so hard for custody of those two kids only, and nobody sees that. I'm sure he hardly spends anytime with those two boys and now he wants her money to take care of him also. Britney works hard to live the life style she lives and for him to want to freeload off of her after all she gave him is just wrong. I say a special pray for Britney every night. I pray that she gets the help she deserves, that she surrounds herself with people who actually love her and not her money. I pray that she gets back custody of her kids.

Hopefully, Dr. Phil's program will serve to reduce the stigma, rather than focusing sole-y on Brittney herself. I would like to think that he really wants to raise awareness of the problems. Celebrities, unfortunately, are subjected to so much exposure, they have nowhere to turn where they can work out their problems without the world looking on. Many celebrities have, in their own way become catalysts for awareness regarding many issues, intentional, or not- (Think Michael J. Fox). I have no personal interest in Britnney's life, but the press is responsible for a lot of problems celebrities face. How can you avoid knowing about every detail when the press is paying these guys BIG bucks to get as much trash as they can on these people? They don't even care if it is true- get a picture- we'll make something up! It would take a very strong person to be able to ignore all that. Not that I think it would happen, but if people would quit buying these publications, and feeding the frenzy, many of these people wouldn't have near the problems they face!

I have never been a Brittney Spears fan (although my kids used to be) I feel for her as a person. This just shows you that you can have fame and money and it still can't get you happiness.

Many, many of us (myself included) suffer from some form of addiction and or mental illness. There is a choice; you can either live with it and continue to spiral downward until you die or you can get help and work toward discovering yourself and taking charge of your life.

I feel for Brittney because it is tough for her to get help because of the media frenzy. It must be tough for her to determine who is really supportive of her or who will "sell" their story to the tabloid or take her money. But please Brittney, if you ever read this, please know that there are good people out there who only have your best interests at heart and want to help you get well!

You can decide to take a "poor Brittney" approach or you can realize that maybe, just maybe this is a gift and if you work it, your life will improve entirely. No longer will you feel as if you are "acting out a part" in a play. You will have control of your life and make decisions and ultimately get your kids back. They really need you to do that also and I believe that you love them.
As for the media, if you choose to remain in your current profession they will never go away. They do good things for you as far as giving you publicity, etc, but also never go away. I don't have any experience in media frenzies, but I can guess at what it would be like. There are ways (I believe) to let the media work for you instead of letting them control you.
Best of wishes and whatever choice you make...I will pray for you!

I so support Britney and an effort to help bring her back to a balanced life whatever that will take. She needs a private safe person to help her get on track without it being "an act in the media circus."

Unless we have been treating her ourselves as physicians and psychiatrists we don't know what is truly happening. We can only see what the media wants to show us.

Having gone through relationship with a person with mental illness and someone with an alcohol addiction, I understand what is happening. We can't expect her behavior to be normal at this time because her mental illness or addictions...or whatever is going on is controlling her. She needs someone to help unravel the web that has her held fast at this time.

Britney please seek the comfort of someone who can truly help and is interested in your best interests.

It appears to me that your profession has a real chance to prove itself right now. There hasn’t been this much publicity for addicts since prohibition was pushed as an amendment to the Constitution. Yes, this is not the first generation to have addiction and alcohol problems. Addiction and alcohol issues have been around longer than the Middle East has been fighting. China lost two generations to Opiate addiction and they’re still fighting it.
For years and years addiction has been borderline Voo-Doo and an excuse for people with the money, who could afford a good attorney and have it explained to the courts that we actually have a disease and we don’t damage society with intent. The reason is that society believes the diagnosis of addiction as a flaw or a loop hole in the judicial system for a rich person to stay out of jail or prisons. God help you if you cant afford the proper representation, you’re going to jail for a long time and your going to learn how to break the law more efficiently to support your habit since while being incarcerated the only thing your thinking about is getting out and partying it up and getting “back to normal”. It’s a wicked cycle. The regular Joe Blow is watching the headlines of Brittney while sitting on a barstool saying she’s looking for publicity. Does anybody truly believe that Brittney would rather have a helicopter filming her getting strapped on a stretcher and loaded in an ambulance to go get committed, than playing with her kids? I don’t.
Addicts don't belong in jails or prisons, we belong in treatment. The damage to society done by addicts, like me, is a consequence of when we are using, otherwise know as being insane. We as addicts don’t wake up one morning and say "hey, lets go kill a child in a car wreck" or "lets go steal $900,000 from a federally insured bank", it is a progression of our disease.
Thank God for Brittney, Lindsay and Paris because now rehab is "the in" thing to do. Five years ago when I was forced to start looking at my behaviors recovering addicts or alcoholics were segregated to themselves, something every addict is terrified of, at least in my case, the last thing I wanted was to not be a "cool" member of society. Now as this revelation progresses everybody will have a contest to see who has been to rehab more. It is going to be cool to go to rehab. I say “HOORAY” the more an addict hears they have a problem the better the chance of them pulling out of denial and start working on their disease.
Bravo rehab centers throughout the world!! Can anybody imagine a generation who didn't think it was cool to party and whose slogan was "let’s be healthy, happy and ask for help when we need it". Mental health professionals this is your chance to shine and be taken seriously. We are talking about changing the perception of a disease that society as a whole has been in denial about.

The thing that really angers me most about the Brittany Spears
situation is her mother, family and close friends! My GOD! How
could they not have tried an intervention and not learned as
much as they could to help her! Why has it taken all this time
to finally address the co-existing disorder?

My father was a physician in denial of having Bipolar Disorder.
All three of us kids were blessed with it. It can be a cunning
and baffling disease. I was the one to be hospitalized. It was
then that my mother tried to help. Living with her during that
time was to keep me safe, but my brother, sister and mom still
didn't want to accept my symptoms. They would criticize, make
fun of and get verbally abusive.

My sister and brother (now deceased)have more of the manic
symptoms. My brother stopped taking his meds and seeing his psychiatrist and therapist. By the time I convinced him to
return he was already in deep depression with horrific anxiety.
He just gave up!He couldn't bear his pain and killed himself
with his rifle. He couldn't accept his illness and thought his
life was over.

I pray Brittany and her family/friends can unite before she gives
up. I pray they give her the healthy support she needs to get/stay healthy.

Britney's behavior has gone so far, and become so self-destructive, that it does seem clear she suffers from some sort of clinical diagnosis of mental illness that she is self-medicating with illegal drugs. (Yes, because in the Hollywood of Tom Cruise, that's more socially acceptable than admitting mental health issues.)

Yet and still ...

Look what we've learned just in the last few weeks about how remarkably dysfunctional the Spears family is in pushing Britney and Jamie Lynn into showbiz. (And there are some UGLY rumors in the tabloids about Jamie Lynn's pregnancy -- not about her, but about the adults around her Jamie Lynn was told she could trust who failed her miserably.)

To have both of those influences ... let's just hope Britney stays alive long enough to get to the other side of her life. Forget her career.

God is such a good God that he forgive us af all our sins and He loves Britney. Everyone loved Britney before she got caughtup with the devil, however the devil is the devil lwith lots of power but not as powerful as God. Britney, if only Lady Diana had known how much the people in world loved her and could have seen it for herself when she died, well, Britney you are love the same way, only you could see it, Help your sister before the deamons of the media destroy her. Be strong and ask God to help you, He will but you have to ask.
Lots of love.
J

It have a lots to do with what was going on with her when she was growing up. All she need is God in her life and have faith and trust only in God he is the only one that can help her. I believe that God is her best help and pray that she can get what ever help that she need to get over what ever is hurting here she need love and God.

My comment is that i know what this young lady is going through.
My daughter is going through some difficult times and i can relate to her problem.She will be alright by the mercy of God so leave her alone and tend to your own business.I wish i could talk to her one on one.

posted;Jan.11,2008

I believe that if only the media would leave this family alone for a while these people can not breathe for the media this girl needs some leave me alone time. there is no time to think are get help when every thing you do is in the paper this is part of her ex and his lawyers I feel.he has never had anything and Brittney is his meal ticket because his life style is no different the only thing is that no one is calling the parizza on hime all the time. These people are the worst I've ever seen let people live instead of not being able to live a half normal life. I am sick of everytime you turn the t.v it is about Brittney there are a lot of otherthings going on in the world except her and the children. I hate that she can't just be herself laugh and have fun with her children instead of all this court drama she is no different that anyone else no children comes with a instruction book and the low lifed husband and his low attorneys are going to hell.
Brittney if you read this go away for a while give God sometime as well as get you some help and Brittney time.

Britany is a good example of what is wrong with our society today. The media has been given far too much credence and freedom to exploit. It can do or say anything today, all under the guise of "freedom of speech." Our country had better wake up and smell the stench of media, grasping at any garbage they can find to exploit. This would not be the case if people would realize they do not have to read or watch this circus. As long as there are people who will eat this suff, the media will continue to feed it to us. America, where are your values; your sense of right and wrong? Only you can bring sense back to our media, by not buying the trashy magazines, by not watching the Maury Povitch, Jerry Springer, Dr. Phil and other shows that exploit tragically unbalanced persons. Write the sponsors. Write the producers. Write your congressmen. But don't spend your time or money on garbage and it will stop. It is all fueled by money and greed. See it for what it really is.

"Poor" Britany. All stars are "used" and tossed when they no longer can make money for their antics.

That's my opinion and I'm stickin' to it!

Whatever Mental illness Britney is going through I just wish her well and for her to overcome all the negative and for all-of-you-all to just spread a positive thought to Britney Spears in a supportive way online so that she's well enough to find the right path to happiness in her life. Also check out www.uber.com/netbplink and just support Britney,for her to be willing, for her two beautiful children,but first for her to be well enough to make the necessary,new changes in her life for the better. Best wishes to Britney, from: journey

p.s. from kate this is the first time EVER ive posted anywhere. how excitin for me. peace.

This is a response to: Beyond Blue reader/Barbara

I don't appreciate you taking shots at Dr. Phil. Do you realize how
jealous you sound? Dr. Phil has helped a lot of people even before he
was discovered by Oprah. He knows more about mental illness than you
will ever know. He is a real Dr. and just how does one "become" a
therapist anyway. I never hear any of you say other than:"When I became
a therapist." I never hear any of you say: "After I finished medical
school." Therapists don't have a very good track record, as a whole,
about helping people get well. Every person I know, that has seen a
therapist, never gets well. They just keep pumping money into your
pocket until they either die or find some other way to get out of your hamster wheel. I pray to God that Brittany don't end up seeing a
"quack" therapist.
I don't know what state you're from, but some states don't even
require a college degree to: "Become a therapist." Just a few courses
is all it takes to put someone's life in your hands. My Mother died
from abusing nerve pills. But the Dr.s didn't force them on her. She
liked them and would only go to dr.s she could convince that she
needed them. No pills! Adios! She was very suicidal. She was indeed
mentally ill. After seeing a therapist in 1982 she ODed. The therapist
had her believing she was crazy and there was no hope for her.
She(barely) survived that one and eventually done her self in, in 1994. She had went to another Dr.Quack in another town and got her some pills. She did have a nervous condition that affected her vision.
It was a rare genetic condition that even made her eyes quiver constantly, and therefore caused blindness. She may have felt like there was no hope for her. The only time she wasn't depressed was when
she was pilled up and drunk. She abused alcohol most of her life.
She had medical problems that only a doctor could come close to
understanding.

as Britney's favourite fan, i believe what ever mental disability she's having is caused by the media, and as well as the courts descision to take her kids from her and give them to thier dad. If britney is mentally ill, i sugest that the court returns her kids to her and this is also the time for her family to draw her closer and to show her more love.

i have no compassion for someone who is a multimillionaire, and has many homes. i'm from los angeles, the meanest place on earth. how much of this is a publicity stunt anyway. i feel for the poor homeless people on the street, not someone so rich she has many many choices and options.

Please people can we talk? We're all adults here, are't we? So why are we discussing a pop star's life? Aren't there other issues much more pressing and important to our and the world's well being?
The Media is using all those celebrities, Spears, Hilton, etc., not to do their job: report the news.
There are U.S. soldiers, not yet 20, dying in Iraq. None of them is the child of congressman or politico, none of them are the children of millionaires or celebrities, yet the U.S. population is discussing Britney's meltdown!
There are important issues facing everyone of us, such as food safety, transportation, adequate health care, adequate housing, employment, affordable higher education and so on.
Sorry, but this doesn't say very much for anyone. I trust this site isn't for teens.

I just listen to all the things that the people here has to say. Even if she is rich we are all gods people.She still need help. If you walk in her shoes you will understand. When you go through depression you feel know one is there and no one cares. She never had a childhood so she is trying to do all that now.Her parents are not there in her corner because they are worried about what people are saying but that is still there daughter know matter what so they should be there even if she don't want them to be. They need to take control if she can't take control. Where is the love there.Britney. I pray for you god is always there when no one else. I have been there so I can relat to the situation. Best of Luck and stay strong. Get on your knees and pray.

I'm sorry, what happened to Brittney was an avoidable tradgedy. She was a young star whose Mother allowed her to grow up way to fast. She went from a teenager to a sex symbol over night. There was no to help her learn to say no, or anything else. Only "our" wonderful society saying "oh Britney your so...talented, so...pretty so...xyz whatever you desire it's yours". But there was no one to guide her as she went from a teenager to this overnight sex symbol. Her children well, it was a blessing they were removed before any real harm was done. And it's a shame that their punk father is a better choice, but...I am an advocate for children as well as an early childhood educator and I was so thankful to hear that Brittney lost custody, simply because she is so lost herself, she can not possibly care for her children as we have all unfortunatlly seen. I understand depression, & not being able to do "what's expected" of you etc. This case has gotten way too much attention already, and been blown up I'm sure. The main people to blame her the media. I feel for Brittney's children as they are the inocent victims in all this. As for Brittney, well as with any addict I hope she gets the help she needs & it will make a differance in her life. As for not showing up to court dates, as a child advocate, I can say inecussable. You want to keep custody of your children you do what the court asks you to do, period. You keep making excuses, well as they say excuses are for loosers.

Brittany needs our heartfelt prayers. She is a young woman in a crisis situation. The kind thing others can do for her is quit reporting every little thing about her life. She needs time to heal and get her life on track.

I personally pray that God guides her and her family through this very troubling time in her life.

It's really a pitty that all these things had to happen to the Spears family. But i don't think this is the right time of laying blames on either Britney or the husband. Those whom i think can really help Britney now are her close friends, those who are close to her heart, those she can easily listen to. These are the people i firmly believe can help her for now. So i will wish such friends to talk to her, advice her and not force her to do things she won't want to, for it might traumatize her the more.

But Britney i will like you to be rest assurre that we do care for you and your kids( whom we don't really know what they really have in mind at the moment, but we pray God keeps them safe and guides them through these hard times ). We pray God gives you the wisdom to get out of this valley.

I pray for Britney, she is going through a bad time right now. I come from a family with depression and mental illness and we are all getting help for it. There were times when i was younger i probably acted alot like Britney except without all the publicity. I am 48 now and have been dealing with the demons that come from this disease for a very long time twelve i believe. I did get help and I am on medication now and forever. I have three beautiful daughters who have the same illness and also are on medication. I can say I understand what Britney is going through and she needs a safe place to fall. She needs understanding and compasion and someone who understands her needs. Someone who will love her for who she is and can overlook her past and help her with her future so she can be the mother she wants to be and is. She needs love and support from everyone. Let he who is free of sin cast the first stone. I think that pretty much sums it up! I am in Britney's corner as I said I have been there and was lucky enough to have the right combination of love support and medication to turn my life around. Good Luck Britney you can do it!

I couldn't agree more with the writer, I too had a mom who was depressed all the time and all the brilliant doc's told us, her children that we should just put her in a psych hospital, she needed to be instatutionalized for her to get the care she needed. Heck ne, I suffer fromm seasonal affect disorder, just like me mom. I do great on meds. I only wish ther were meds for her. God rest her soul. As for Brittany, I pRay for not only her but her children too. God be with those sweet little angels, they, I'm afraid, are the one's that are going to suffer. I wonder has anyone looked at post partum depression??? She is exhibiting ALL of the symptoms, I do also see the bipolar thoughts however/. Only hope she gets the help she needs before a real tragedy occurs. And trust me it will end in a real tragedy!!!!! Every time I hear something about Brittany, I SIT on the edge of my chair waiting to hear that she has done somthing tragic, including the children. I pray I am wrong.

I agree with Cathy who, to paraphrase, just hopes that Brit can find someone to hold her and give her a truly safe place to begin to heal. I am offended and appalled by Dr. Phil and all the other "friends" who have seemingly tried to cash in on her illness. I also wonder what it says about our society that we are buying the publications that are selling her out. I hope and pray that someone decent and caring can reach that poor girl. Whether it is addiction, depression, or a combination - Britanie is a sick woman in need of love, understanding, and a helping hand.

Jill:

I agree that Britney -- while you have to have human compassion for her suffering -- brought a lot of her own troubles on herself (in mania?) and ultimately is no better and no worse than any of us suffering these conditions.

The issue is, when it's someone famous -- Mike Wallace, Jane Pauley, William Styron, Ted Turner, Maurice Benard, Stephen Fry, Patty Duke, of course Brooke Shields, so many others -- it can be a teaching moment.

If Britney gets a confirmed, public diagnosis, do we want to let Tom Cruise and his ilk win this debate?

As Gen. Anthony MacAuliffe supposedly said to the Germans when asked to surrender at the Battle of the Bulge in World War II, "NUTS!" (Only "Nuts!" is the expurgated version ...)

I find it fascinating how one American Celebrity's problems, publically displayed, can spark such an outburst of conversation, speculation, and comentary that it can trump the international news of the day.

I can only hope that all the conversation and dissection of Britney's Life and Problems will lead to both healing for Her, and a National Understanding of the problems ANYONE can have coping with emotional/psychological conditions beyond one's power, through Self-Will or Self-Medication. I agree with several posting here that what Brtiney could really use is:

a) some Compassionate, Detached, Mental Health Care

b) Time and Space to reflect and find the Higher Power of HER Understanding

[B]c) Space AWAY from the the Fish-Bowl Glare of the Media Circus, of which even WE HERE are complicit participants in for even discussing her life, as if it's Our Right to comment on, because her job puts her in the Public Eye.[/b]

MAYBE IT'S TIME FOR US ALL TO LISTEN, LEARN, AND KEEP THE FOCUS ON OURSELVES.........FOR OUR OWN SAKE, AS WELL AS BRITNEY'S (& WHITNEY'S, & MARIAH'S, & OWEN'S, & "BRANGELINA" 'S, AND, YES, EVEN PARIS'S).

LET'S HAVE SOME COMPASSION FOR THESE PEOPLE, WHY DON'T WE? [B]WE[/b] DON'T HAVE EVERY ONE OF OUR 'BAD HAIR DAYS', DIVORCES, 'FAT DAYS', SEXUAL SHORT-COMINGS, ETC. PICKED OVER BY A MEDIA EAGER TO FEED THEM TO OUR "INQUIRING MINDS," WHO MUST KNOW....., WHAT? THAT THEY ARE HUMAN LIKE US?

Must we laugh at their pain, pick at their Pain, explain their Pain, Justify and/or Deny their Pain? Who are We to say we have that Right, simply because we see/hear/dance to them?

[I]Who's life is it, Anyway?[/i]

Wishing All:

Peace, Pleasure, and the Pursuit of Happiness!

D. J. Perez
Metro Boston, MA

Why can't everyone leave her alone? She needs time to think and realize what she is doing. Everyone is just making her act out. Only she can help herself. Yes, she loves her children. Leave her alone so that she can get on with her life

Dear Linda Marie,

Just-a-note to let you know I'm thinking about YOU!

Please take good care of yourself....you deserve to be happy.

Your cyber-Friend,
Valentine

No matter how civilized we imagine ourselves to be, society still views mental illness as evil.

I have been reading countless message board posts from people blasting the mother of murdered marine Maria Lauterbach because she made her daughter's mental struggles public knowledge. By accusing the mother of bad-mouthing her daughter, these posters reveal that they believe mental illness is the same as evil.

But who can blame them for this ignorance? No one escapes the death penalty for being a sociopath. It isn't even considered an illness by the public. The word "sociopath" has just become a synonym for "evil".

LARRY, i REALIZE THIS COMMENT IS COMING A BIT LATE IN THE DISCUSSION (I've beenb suffering...or rather my P.X. has...."computer freeze and am behind the rest of you by several posts, I agree with your stance on the death penalty. Forget Hurricane Carter and the many death row inmates nationwide who have belaredly been proven not guilty because of new DNA evidence/teachnology; in my owm little corner of the world I've witnessed first hand a gebtleman spend twenty years in prison for a rime which most of us now believe he truly WASN'T responsible (the shooting death of an off-duty police officer.Luckily for Mayrice, he wasn't fiven the death penalty (Michigan doesn't do that anymore) but he has lost probably the last healthy years of his life to incarceration. governor granholm recently(relatively, anyway) commuted his sentence after a grass roorsinvestigation by a local "innocence prohect group showed that the only eye witness to the crime had repeatedly told the investigators that Maurice wasn't the right physical build to be the shooter and her input had never been presented to the jury along with many other facts that the public defender allowed to fall through the cracks. Unfortunately, Gov. granholm's mercy is a classic case of "too little to late" since Mayrice is now suffering terminal cancer and isn't expected to live much longer anyway. but hey!Convicting and incarcerating a (probably ) innocent man at least cleared the case and created more favorable county statistics, right? It's ugly enough to witness these kinds of scenarios on the national level, but when it becomes a LOCAL situation it becomes downright TERRIFYIONG! As it happens,a personal friend of mine was leading the "Free Maurice Carter campaign, so I've been privy to all of the ins and outsof this pitiful miscarriage of justice. THANK GOD he wasn't executed before all of the "irregularities" (translate"maipulations") were brought to light. Even so, it has robbed that poor man (whose only REAL "crime was being in the store at the same time the shooting took place of time he could have had with his family before contracting cancer; time that canNEVER be returned or compensated for under the circumstances. It boggles my mind to think about how many executions HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT WHEN THE ACCUSED WAS TRULY NOT the guilty party. even if the prisoners ARE/WERE guilty, it smacks to me of the same kind of gross hypocrisy perpetrated against children who are spanked to teach them to "keep their jands to themselves" As in, don't kill others; we're going to kill you to make sure you "get " that message. How completely INANE! I'll grant you that I've never had violnt crime perpetrated against me or any of my loved ones, so I'm not able to look at it from that point of view, but it seems to me that execution is both "cruel and unusual even if WAS a part of Hamuravi's original code of laws spelled out in Deuteroomy. as much as I Love the RESPECT ancients, just because they believed things should be handled in a particular way doesn't mean they were RIGHT It seems to me that telve individuals are taking an awful lot on themselves when they advise execution as the fitting consequence. Just because the have the legal authorization in their capacity to deprive someone else of their very life doesn't mean that they have to(or even "should"(although I hate that word) exxercise it. I'm immensely thankful that the times i've been assigned jury duty hacen't dealt with violent crimes; I'm afraid I'd be hard pressed to make a unanimous decision when it comes to saying "You DIE!)

i pray for her, seems like she is very self distructive to herslf. remember she has a serious mental trouble, i pray for her to open her eyes and smell the baby, what a wonderful smell, mother and father should come together involving in the raising and stability the kids, love was there, think of your children u are only hurting the kids not the father, Britny shape-up or ship out, give them up to a better life, someone who will love uncondionally and not use them as a pon or leverage May God Bless Her and guide her in the right direction

I think that we are all way to quick to see others faults when we should be looking at our own. I agree that we should take heed of what money,the "wrong guidance" can reap. We all be a lot better off if someone would just take the time and consideration to look for the guidance we need from above and put our trust in the the Lord he can cure all afflicition mental or otherwise so thoseof us who do believe should ban together and pray for her that she could find peace in his arms. Sincerely Cynthia Rodarte

Surely, Brittany's having been in the national spotlight since she was a child (note same of Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor, among others)has rendered her incapable, at this point, of living the type of life many of us would choose for her.

Watching the jury...I mean a panel of 'experts' dissecting this young woman's life was a real eye-opener...not in regard to what is going on with Brittany but, into our own nationl illness. When did we enter this 'parallel universe' when gossip became worthy of the nightly news programs? (Please, beam me up Scotty!!)

The experts? Here's a real eye-opener: A psychiatrist who 'practices' on TV; a member of the paparazzi who stalks her for financial gain; an entertainment TV host (himself a recently recovered alcoholic who is three times her age); and finally, a lawyer to the stars. They, too, like Giliana, pronounced their opinion of the final outcome of her life. Surprisingly, the only one who spoke of her situation with compassion instead of judgement was the attorney!

I agree that the '24/7', 'bluetooth', 'got to be in the know' mindset that many of us have bought into is directly responsible. How many tabloids have hit the market in the past decade? How many 'hits' are garnered by titilating videos on You Tube? Who is to blame? We are. Who buys the priceless 'shots' (HMMMM!)taken by paparazzi willing to put themselves AND their 'subjects' in harm's way? The 'rag-mag' publishers who have found a willing market of voyueristic shoppers. Namely, US...oh, wait that's another one of those magazines, isn't it?

Knowing what I know, it appears to me that Brittany has been dealing with bi-polar episodes. It is not a tragedy. It is an illness which, when coded in one's genetic make-up and fed on high stress situations, comes to the forefront in exactly the stage of life which she is now in. (Aside from mental illnesses, would any one of us want our late teens and early 20's recorded?!)

The young man on You Tube video who cried out on her behalf was verbally ridiculed and judged by the media to be 'whacky'; Brittany has been judged by many to be beyond hope...but they both fill up air time, don't they? Truly, the love of money is the root of all evil.

She did not become a star in her 20's like so many who pose on the red carpet. She was raised to entertain and be photogenic. She is only doing what she was taught by all those who had a stake in her stardom.

At this point, paparazzi are adding fuel to the fire for their own gain. And we are adding fuel to their fire. Have we forgotten the chase which led to the loss of Princess Diana? Don't pick up those magazines which splatter people's pain across the cover.

In conclusion, I take up that young man's cry: leave Brittany alone, let her heal and, get your own life.

All that has been said here is correct. May I add the young sports stars to her group? Coddled, spoiled, and thought for. They burst on the scene with exceptional talent, and then when they fail to produce as expected; are trashed in the media causing many to react humanly with emotion, only to be trashed more. It is after all this we read about their drug/alcohol abuse, or mental breakdowns in which we trash them more for not being tough. This is all about us using others for our shortfalls and under achievements, and identities to get by in our puny little lives. We should all look up, and with in. Acknowledge Greatness knowing it only comes from past failures.

Margaret:

For the record, there is some sense among reasonable, non-racist law enforcement types in New Jersey that Hurricane Carter may have actually been guilty of those three murders in Paterson in 1966 -- and also that police committed gross misconduct in tampering with evidence to "prove" their case.

Kind of like O.J. Simpson, now that you mention it. (Too much schadenfreude of me, I realize, but you have to think of Al Capone's tax evasion conviction when you think this bizarre Las Vegas incident might finally be the thing that gets him hard time in the pen.)

I believe that her world of such fast-paced,dog eat dog career,where your lively hood and ratings determine whether you make it in the music business.One day on top,the next week at the bottom.Lord forbid if you fail and fall through as Brittany has because of stress and depression. Trying to keep up with her career because of her fallen ratings combined with the gossip in a world where,if your on top your great but when you fall you fall alone?Isn't that how some people judge you?I can only try to imagine what it must be like for her with career stress combined with how she loves her children,knowing she is loosing them into someone elses care.Being in a place where you feel you are loosing everything,so disconnected from yourself and the world around you and trying to make sense of one thing when nothing makes sense to you.It's like fighting to survive,holding your head above water and feeling that you are being pulled under in spite of your efforts not to drown. Depression drowns the spirit of those in it,it numbs them to a world that seems to hurtful to them at that moment.Waking,going through the motions,but not feeling them.We have to quit thinking of depression as a dirty word and people who suffer from mental illness,less than those who don't.We are all different within this world and open acceptance with compassion that not everyone is cut from the same cloth,our patterns are different.My mother had,"bad nerves,"and as a young child
watching her swallow the pills that were suppose to help her,actually masked her thoughts and feelings because she wasn't allowed to talk openly about her feelings.They gave her pills but never asked her,"How do you feel?"or"What's bothering you?"I just remember her crying a lot,then taking more pills.Thankfully she is now well and through years of talking and knowing who she is,that she has rights,is valued,valuing herself....she is fine.I wish this for the young woman that Brittany is
and i give her my compassion.
irishwings.