Britney: Is Addiction More Acceptable Than Mental Illness?

"having a drug and alcohol problem is far more acceptable in this country than having a mental health crisis."

Don't people know that if there is evidence of or proof that you have a drug or alcohol problem that there is also the very strong possiblity that (if you are not already there) you are on your way the a mental health crisis??
Why is it that the important thing is to medicate/cover up the symptoms rather than deal/allieviate with the cause?
Cully

"having a drug and alcohol problem is far more acceptable in this country than having a mental health crisis."

No brainer, there. In our culture a person is their mind. After all - you can do a kidney, heart of liver transplant, if those go bad - but a brain transplant - I haven't heard of one. People stigmatize what they fear most. Old age, death, and mental illness.

I heard a commentator this morning say that drinking, and drugging escapades by celebrities is amusing, but mental illness is serious. Seems to me they are both serious.

I've never been a fan, but surely the jackals who cover her every move know she is sick. But hey, any way to make a buck....

The hard part for all of us who suffer from depression and other mental differences is that sometimes we can't do what we're expected to do. Part of me has been enraged recently by articles about her blowing off court-dates. How could she do that?!? But, on some important levels, she can't control it. She has no sense of herself in the world anymore.

All I want for Britney is for her to finally find the arms of someone gentle, supportive, and intelligent so that she can melt down into that safe knowing and come back into her own life and rebuild it again.

Talking about mental illness or substance abuse or whatever is moot at this point. So many parts of the world have failed this young woman. A decent society would support her as he rebuilds her relationship with herself and her family -- whatever the cause for the break.

I would like to know where her mother is in all of this. yes she is adult but in desparate need of some unconditional love that only comes from a parent. She needs her mother with a stern hand to put some control and content in her life. Another thing the media has not bothered to offer has anyone of these judgemental individuals every had a child pulled from their hands? This alone has got to be the hardest thing to deal with loosing the constant company of the two babies she gave to birth to. Kevin Federline is just a gold digger with male gential!!! He has no real interest in raising and loving these children the way their mother can. This whole case is ridiculus!
Someone close to britney needs to help her get control nd prove she
ultimately can be and is the better parent for these children!

personally, For anyone who has any sympathy for Britney and her children, I believe we should give it to God in prayer. We are talking about 2 innocent little boys who deserve the love and nurturing that only their mother can provide for them. I just hope that my comment will help other's see the seriousness of this situation for both mother and children involved. Let that be the reason for my prayers...dear haevenly father, I know that all things are possible through you dear lord, and I ask and pray for the extreme healing and the re-building of Britneys character, strength,and life. It is my sincerest hope in prayer father God that it be your will to heal britney Spears and her babies. I ask father God that in your good-time that you re-unite this family father, and restore them to the natural place that your will has planned for them. I ask for a wall of protection around all 3 of them and Father God, I also ask that you put it in many more hearts-of the public to also offer up prayer for Britney and her children. I thank-you father God for hearing and faithfully answering my prayers as you always have and do. To you be all the glory In the mighty name of Jesus Christ I ask and pray, amen -Bonnie

I suspect everyone who suffers from mental illness can relate to her pain (if not that of every *other* sufferer). It strikes me as being unjust that people relate more readily to Speers than to others who suffer equally or more, simply because of her star status. The national pastime of star worship thrives, no matter what. The woman's behaviour has been abominable for months whether its root cause has been addiction, mental illness, or simply asserting her perceived "rights." One can't go around flashing one's underwear (or lack, thereof), shaving one's head, driving under the influence, refusing to be responsible for one's children, etc., etc., only to be continually patted on the head. She *should* be held accountable for harmful behaviours, whether ill or not, rather than to be excused carte blanche, because of being rich and famous. As I stated in another thread, she may actually (unwittingly) serve to make mental illness popular, at this rate.

With all that money and power the best way for her to get the attention is to help the world. Starving children, disease cures , help humanity. Make a difference and she will never be forgotten.This would in itself be a healer from heaven.