Is Brittany Spears Bipolar?

[DJ]

Just a fluff question to get the ball rolling.

[wigy]

it is clear she has major problems -- bp or not -- hum -- dont know but i hope she gets the help she needs b4 it is to late -- ging

[DJ]

Kimberly and I have avoided saying anything about Britney Spears because there is no evidence she has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and we don't want to add to all the hype. While some of the things she has done may suggest BP, there could be other explanations. Meanwhile, the media has turned her life into a Truman Show. We think it's time to give the woman a break.

And so does Andy Behrman, author of Electroboy: A Memoir of Mania. In an email sent to us, he said this:

"Lately, I find myself being asked if I think that Britney Spears has bipolar disorder. Frankly, I don't know, as I'm not a psychiatrist or a mental health care professional, but I'm glad she's seeking treatment by qualified psychiatrists.

I've been horrified at how the media has turned her erratic and often risky behavior into something of a joke. If she is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, she -– like any one else –- deserves our best wishes, because she will struggle with a disease (for which there is no cure) for the rest of her life. At the least, we can be grateful she is finally getting the help she so clearly needs.

Some studies show that for 25% of women who have bipolar disorder, the condition began with a postpartum episode. Britney's odd behavior (at least, her public behavior) really started spiraling after her first child was born.

With more than six million people suffering from bipolar disorder in this country (and that number rising every year), it's time to take mental illness seriously. It's not a laughing matter, no matter how famous you may be." Andy has summed up the situation very well. We will continue to make no comment regarding Spears at this time.

From: http://bipolar.about.com/b/2008/02/06/andy-behrman-speaks-out-about-britney-spears.htm

[Phyllis]

heard on the news this morning that someone checked her out of the hospital she was in. Not sure if it was herself or someone else, they didn't say. There goes my hopes for her getting better. 

[KATE336]

i heard dr. phil does not have a liscense. he never has shows about people with mental conditions. except anorexia. but to me, those shows have been shock value shows.

[high maintenence]

I absolutely cannot stand Dr. Phil. He is an idiot and should be banned from his role, whatever it is. Anyway, I just think about poor Brittany whom btw I do believe is highly likely to be bp. How in the world would I be able to cope with my illness around all of that hype. The only way I am still living is because my husband refused to let people around me. My mother, him and my children are the only people I wanted to see and a year later I still feel the same. God bless her.

[francie]

I actually heard Dr. Phil tell Jay Leno once that he had no formal education, and that he didn't know what he was talking about 1/2 the time (this was a few years back).  I've watched his show a handful of times over the last year.  It's all about "show business"...  Yes, High, i don't like him so well either.  thank Oprah for his existance.. she "discovered" his dumb self.

Brittney Spears, not unlike Anna Nicole, is being exploited in a big way.  I don't know why the media doesn't leave it alone, and to be quite frank, i do not believe that the majority of our general public has time nor interest in hearing these things.  I guess the news generates money from using other people's misfortune and illness, etc. because this sort of thing is on TV all the time.  I'm surprised we aren't still hearing about Anna Nicole's funeral and the child custody every day.  Heck it's only been a year! 

 

[high maintenence]

we could thank Oprah for alot of her dumb "discoveries".