Britney loses custody of her kids!

[kathykd2005]

Originally Posted by texas*princess

i know lots of people said this awhile back, but really, after this, there is no bouncing back. i doubt anyone will ever see her perform live or have new cd's ever again.

I completely disagree. I am NO Britney fan, but I do think it's still possible for her to bounce back from this. The news is now reporting that she has bipolar disorder, which is a very real mental health issue, but one she can overcome. It is possible to lead a productive and functional life with bipolar disorder, but she has to receive the help she needs from a proper professional. To tell you the truth, I suspected bipolar disorder from the beginning, since (and I know this is weird) my mother was bipolar, and shaved her head once (yes, crazy, I know). I know that's not any real basis for a mental health diagnosis, but her behavior is very similar to what I remember my mother being like. My mother also, unfortunately, lost custody of all of her children, too, so I know this must be very difficult for Britney, if she is really bipolar. Just my two cents.

[texas*princess]

Originally Posted by kathykd2005

I completely disagree. I am NO Britney fan, but I do think it's still possible for her to bounce back from this. The news is now reporting that she has bipolar disorder, which is a very real mental health issue, but one she can overcome. It is possible to lead a productive and functional life with bipolar disorder, but she has to receive the help she needs from a proper professional. To tell you the truth, I suspected bipolar disorder from the beginning, since (and I know this is weird) my mother was bipolar, and shaved her head once (yes, crazy, I know). I know that's not any real basis for a mental health diagnosis, but her behavior is very similar to what I remember my mother being like. My mother also, unfortunately, lost custody of all of her children, too, so I know this must be very difficult for Britney, if she is really bipolar. Just my two cents.

That makes a lot of sense, but I think in order for her to do that she needs to want to get the help that is required for her to get better. We've seen her go from bad to worse to really really bad in just one year. With everything that has happened, I don't know if losing her kids will be what it takes for the proverbial light to go on in her head that says "Hey, I really need some help".

I hope that she is able to mentally bounce back, because if she doesn't, she's going to have some real issues later in life. I'm just not sure that she will be able to bounce back professionally because of all the crazy stuff she's pulled in the last couple of years that has deteriorated her marketable persona.

I am not a Britney fan, but I'd hope that she is able to bounce back both mentally and professionally. Everyone was "rooting" for her when it was announced she was going to do the VMAs ... and she just didn't deliver. I'm not sure that she will be able to get back to where she used to be as a performer.

[smiley21]

Right now I think the fans are apart of the problem- directly and indirectly. Britney really doesn't know anything else but the spotlight, so she craves it. She needs to understand how to separate herself from it. I know that is now difficult living in L.A. So she needs to move elsewhere and put her life back together. To Britney, L.A. = hell. She needs to get out. I honestly believe that if she does not do something drastic to better herself, she will not make it to the end of 2008.

[Taualumna]

Originally Posted by kathykd2005

I completely disagree. I am NO Britney fan, but I do think it's still possible for her to bounce back from this. The news is now reporting that she has bipolar disorder, which is a very real mental health issue, but one she can overcome. It is possible to lead a productive and functional life with bipolar disorder, but she has to receive the help she needs from a proper professional. To tell you the truth, I suspected bipolar disorder from the beginning, since (and I know this is weird) my mother was bipolar, and shaved her head once (yes, crazy, I know). I know that's not any real basis for a mental health diagnosis, but her behavior is very similar to what I remember my mother being like. My mother also, unfortunately, lost custody of all of her children, too, so I know this must be very difficult for Britney, if she is really bipolar. Just my two cents.

But in order to remain okay, people with bipolar have to take meds. Knowing Britney, she's not take the meds when she's supposed to, which means she'll probably stay the way she is. And that means she won't ever see her kiddies.

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by kathykd2005

I completely disagree. I am NO Britney fan, but I do think it's still possible for her to bounce back from this. The news is now reporting that she has bipolar disorder, which is a very real mental health issue, but one she can overcome. It is possible to lead a productive and functional life with bipolar disorder, but she has to receive the help she needs from a proper professional. To tell you the truth, I suspected bipolar disorder from the beginning, since (and I know this is weird) my mother was bipolar, and shaved her head once (yes, crazy, I know). I know that's not any real basis for a mental health diagnosis, but her behavior is very similar to what I remember my mother being like. My mother also, unfortunately, lost custody of all of her children, too, so I know this must be very difficult for Britney, if she is really bipolar. Just my two cents.

Bi Polar and Substance Abuse. Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

I agree with you that many of her most recent actions were manic: Shaving off the hair, beating the SUV with an umbrella, ranting like she had ADAD. The super-human grandiosity: firing an assistant for not picking up her hat, acting condecending in court, missing court dates. The depression has been evident all along (i.e. the trailor trash video).

But, when did the substance abuse begin and did it ignite someone who was already predisposed to mental illness?

All I know is that she needs help, the kids need to be in a healthy environment and someone needs to tell her 'no' for a change.

ETA: I've never been a fan of hers either.

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

But, when did the substance abuse begin and did it ignite someone who was already predisposed to mental illness?

I'll bet Mama Spears knows. Britney wouldn't be the first starlet whose mother introduced her to the wonderful world of pharmacopia.

ETA: Weren't both Judy Garland and Annette Funicello also introduced to drugs early in their careers?

[texas*princess]

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

All I know is that she needs help, the kids need to be in a healthy environment and someone needs to tell her 'no' for a change.

ETA: I've never been a fan of hers either.

Based on everything we've heard in the news over the last year, everyone who told her 'no' was fired or exiled from her life when they did.

It's really sad that her losing her kids gradually over the last year wasn't enough for her to get the kind of help she needed.

[nittanyalum]

^^^She's obviously self-medicating in place of getting real medical (or if necessary, mental) help. I agree with the post that said she's hurtling down the path that will not have her celebrating Christmas, 2008. And honestly, when I first saw this morning the line "Britney rushed to hospital", my first thought was, she finally overdosed. It's coming, if this isn't what turns her around.

[SigKapAngel767]

kathykd, Thank you for your sharing about your Mom. It takes a lot of courage to share experiences with mental illnesses. You rock!

I no longer care for Britney as an artist. But, I care for her as a fellow human being. I pray for her recovery (recovery from mental illness IS possible). I pray for her two sons, as I'm sure life is extremely confusing for them right now. I pray she gets the help she needs to be a good mother and to be an important part of their lives, and an integral part of society. If anything, this occurrence might give people the courage to receive treatment.


ETA: Mental illness is something that happens to a person. They do not choose to be mentally ill. She might be so sick, she may not understand what she's doing (Don't shoot me! Just saying and being an advocate! I worked at a nonprofit for clients with mental illness)

[nittanyalum]

Ok, but why, when my browser opened, were the first 3 links under "Entertainment" stories about Britney's DAD, MOM and DR. PHIL?!?!?! They just can't stop exploiting her, even in her darkest hour, can they? Sick sick sick.

[33girl]

As far as Judy Garland was concerned, it is a very similar situation, with an additional complication - her father was gay and in the closet and while her mother was on the one hand milking Judy for all she could get, on the other hand I think she believed that she was doing the right thing in keeping her away from a troubled home life, even if things at the studio were stressful. Remember, back then no one knew diet pills and tranquilizers were addicting. This was the middle of the Depression - half the country didn't have a job, let alone one at a movie studio. You didn't look a gift horse in the mouth, you shut up and did what you were told.

Britney's parents have all that information available and they should have stepped in after the 24 hour (or however long it was) marriage to that Jason guy and made her GET HELP. IMO that was the beginning of all the craziness. At this point, I think she would have to be given an adult caretaker (if there is such a thing) because her family hasn't shown any inclination or ability to help her.

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by 33girl

As far as Judy Garland was concerned, it is a very similar situation, with an additional complication - her father was gay and in the closet and while her mother was on the one hand milking Judy for all she could get, on the other hand I think she believed that she was doing the right thing in keeping her away from a troubled home life, even if things at the studio were stressful. Remember, back then no one knew diet pills and tranquilizers were addicting. This was the middle of the Depression - half the country didn't have a job, let alone one at a movie studio. You didn't look a gift horse in the mouth, you shut up and did what you were told.

Britney's parents have all that information available and they should have stepped in after the 24 hour (or however long it was) marriage to that Jason guy and made her GET HELP. IMO that was the beginning of all the craziness. At this point, I think she would have to be given an adult caretaker (if there is such a thing) because her family hasn't shown any inclination or ability to help her.

I didn't know the full story behind Judy Garland - my gosh, no wonder she was a mess, and her daughter seems to be right behind her. Good judgment is/was not their closest friend.

And totally, totally agree about that first marriage. It was such a scream for mental help, and everyone just rode on the wagon with her, rather than let her get the help she needed so badly.

[texas*princess]

I'm not going to lie.

I have a closet full of clothes and there are times when I open up the closet and think to myself, "I have nothing to wear!!!"

I usually will throw some random outfit on... but uhhhh Britney's random outfit is.... not exactly "street wear"

Britney's 2004 Vintage look

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by texas*princess

I'm not going to lie.

I have a closet full of clothes and there are times when I open up the closet and think to myself, "I have nothing to wear!!!"

I usually will throw some random outfit on... but uhhhh Britney's random outfit is.... not exactly "street wear"

Britney's 2004 Vintage look

I second WTF

[nittanyalum]

That would be sick, sick, sick. I think they're messing with everyone. It's not like they weren't fully aware their picture was being taken. Why can't that girl just SIT AT HOME for a spell? (besides the fact the tiny voices in her head won't let her)