Britney Spears taken to hospital for tests

[strandinthewind]

^^^

Interestingly, the alcohol abuse sometimes is not alcoholism. My friend would use alcohol in any form (at one point, he was drinking bottles of Nyquil) as another form of medication. He was not an alcoholic per se because when he was on the right meds, he rarely drank and had no desire to do so. But, when the meds would stop working, he'd start drinking.

Also, I am glad (for want of a better word) that you found your way thorough all of that.

[strandinthewind]

Also, there have beem no reports of La Spears' testing positive for illegal drugs. In fact, most of the news is reporting that she did not test positive for illegal drugs. In other words, if that is so, then she really is bonkers on her own or as the result of too much or too little medication. So, there is that to consider.

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

^^^

Interestingly, the alcohol abuse sometimes is not alcoholism. My friend would use alcohol in any form (at one point, he was drinking bottles of Nyquil) as another form of medication. He was not an alcoholic per se because when he was on the right meds, he rarely drank and had no desire to do so. But, when the meds would stop working, he'd start drinking.

Also, I am glad (for want of a better word) that you found your way thorough all of that.

I think this is what my ex from last year was going through and is still going through as far as I know. I don't have any contact with him.

I am also glad you found your way through all of that, living with someone like that must be the hardest thing in the world to do.

[strandinthewind]

^^^

At some point, you have to leave the situation and live your own life. then, you pray for the best. In my situation, he killed himself, so the best did not happen.

I remember his parents cutting him off from the money after like the 10th involuntary hospitalization. His insurance had long since expired and they had spent several hundred thousand dollars, which they could afford. Imagine how they must feel even though they likely made the right decision because he would check himself out of most involuntary hospitalizations.

The whole thing was just so dark.

[Betsy]

Throwing these out there ~ for discussion.

Remember when Michael Jackson came to court in his pajamas? (Supposedly, it was planned. The pajamas got all the press...and not the damaging testimony given that day.)

S'pse Brittney did the wacko stuff to get the press off of her Little Sister and Mom? I do remember something being said about putting her on a 72 hour hold....so the episode must have been more serious.

The Doctor Phil (Headline: Posse-comes-to-the-Rescue-of-Dr.-Phil's-Ratings)... I find so incredibly arrogant. If he truly wanted to help, wouldn't he have found a more "quiet" way to accomplish his goal? The star-struck staff at the hospital ... (remember the George Clooney hospital episode?) ... hopefully have learned a lesson too.

In closing, thank you to those who posted news stories and have added personal insight. It is appreciated and enlightening.

[sara1998]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

^^^

At some point, you have to leave the situation and live your own life. then, you pray for the best. In my situation, he killed himself, so the best did not happen.

It's very hard to get to that point. I wasn't able to draw the line. He drew it for me.

I have sympathy for Spears, just because I've lived with a similar person. She has to want to come out of it herself. No one, not even those who love her most, will be able to help her until she's willing to help herself.

Do I like the music Spears produced? No. Do I agree with the acts she's recently carried out, especially while with children? No. But, does this make her trash and a waste of human life. Absolutely not. It only makes her human, and DavidMN... I hope you never slip up in life, because it's so easy to judge and be judged. I would hate for people to call you trash because you can't seem to pull yourself together.

[strandinthewind]

^^^

In a much less severe way (this guy was just my friend as opposed to a spouse I had a kid with) - my friend drew line for us as well. In other words, even though I knew I had done all I could, there is that part of me that thinks I should have done more. When you are in it, you think that you have reached the end of your rope, etc. Then, they kill themselves and you feel like an a$$ because you think was that really the end of my rope and how selfish were my actions. Couldn't I have given one more day, one more phone call, etc. But, what is done is done. So, making peace my, not his, decision is the lynchpin. That last sentence is FAR more than ten words and anger plays heavily into it.

Interestingly, I find myself forgetting the bad stuff or putting it into a comical setting. Sometimes, we'll all talk about what an eccentric he was, which in the South means just plumb nuts. It is easier, and IMO somewhat more fitting, that way as that is the way he likely would want to be remembered.

[SuzeQuze]

At the gym last nite on one of those Entertainment news shows I saw Dr. Phil and he is not airing the Spears episode right now. So to his credit (despite my negative feelings toward him) he realizes this would just be damaging.

It is hard but you really do have to let go of self-destructive people. When does helping become meddling? You have to be helpful but not compromise your own health and well-being, because if you make yourself sick then you're no good to anyone.

It must be very difficult to live with the kind of guilt you have after a close person commits suicide. I had a family member who I heard was suicidal and I helped that person get help but he still struggles and I have to detach and pray. Fortunately I don't think he is that depressed anymore. If he'd actually been successful with it I would have been totally devastated and consumed by guilt. People who've come through that amaze me.

[strandinthewind]

^^^

I am far more cynical than you are -- I think Dr. Phil canceled his show because the Spears threatened to sue him or take some other action. Or. they promised on in the future where they would actually appear as they canceled on this one. I do not give him any credit for being nice.

[David]

Originally Posted by SuzeQuze

One symptom, being up for days, was documented in the press regarding her state when people arrived at her home.

The desire to forgo sleep is indeed one of the classic symptoms. That's what I was interested in hearing about. I don't follow the Britney news, so I wanted to know why the diagnosis of bipolar disorder, presumably based on symptoms. Is there bipolar disorder in the Spears family? Are there periods of normal mood & functioning in between dips in mood? Is there a mixed-state diagnosis? Is there a personality disorder? Not everyone who drinks booze & does drugs & then goes on benders has a mood disorder, psychiatrists insist.

[trackaghost]

Originally Posted by Betsy

Throwing these out there ~ for discussion.

Remember when Michael Jackson came to court in his pajamas? (Supposedly, it was planned. The pajamas got all the press...and not the damaging testimony given that day.)

S'pse Brittney did the wacko stuff to get the press off of her Little Sister and Mom? I do remember something being said about putting her on a 72 hour hold....so the episode must have been more serious.

I've heard rumours it's a publicity stunt and she's making money from it all. It wouldn't surprise me at this point, but I still think she's disturbed.

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

^^^

I am far more cynical than you are -- I think Dr. Phil canceled his show because the Spears threatened to sue him or take some other action. Or. they promised on in the future where they would actually appear as they canceled on this one. I do not give him any credit for being nice.

I agree. I think the fact he's said that he's not airing the episode "right now" just means he's bowed to public pressure. On the news over here though, they said that Britney's parents asked him to speak to her. I don't know how true that is but given that her mother negotiated a huge million dollar deal for the exclusive rights to the story and photos of the baby the day after it was announced Jamie Lynn was pregnant should indicate how her mind works.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by trackaghost

. . . I don't know how true that is but given that her mother negotiated a huge million dollar deal for the exclusive rights to the story and photos of the baby the day after it was announced Jamie Lynn was pregnant should indicate how her mind works.

In that instance, which differs from BS' mania, I do not blame Lynn Spears or Ashlee Spears for that matter. Ignoring the separate tennage pregnancy issue (hard to do I know) - the fact of the matter is someone stood to gain millions off of this unexpected pregnancy. So, I say the mother of the child should as opposed to OK magazine getting the scoop for free via some press release. I mean it is Ashlee's story to tell and if people are dumb enough to pay for it, I hold no ill will toward her for that. Again, I am not talking about the issues of teenage prenancy.

[trackaghost]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

In that instance, which differs from BS' mania, I do not blame Lynn Spears or Ashlee Spears for that matter. Ignoring the separate tennage pregnancy issue (hard to do I know) - the fact of the matter is someone stood to gain millions off of this unexpected pregnancy. So, I say the mother of the child should as opposed to OK magazine getting the scoop for free via some press release. I mean it is Ashlee's story to tell and if people are dumb enough to pay for it, I hold no ill will toward her for that. Again, I am not talking about the issues of teenage prenancy.

That's all well and good but it's months before Jamie Lynn gives birth, more than enough time to be thinking about things like that. Her mother didn't even wait a day after the news was announced to begin negotiating deals rather than just be there for her daughter in what must be a difficult time. Maybe that's just me, but I wouldn't be thinking of photo deals if I just found out my 16-year-old was pregnant.

Btw, you do know you've been writing Ashlee instead of Jamie Lynn?

[skcin]

Just wanted to clarify that I think she's a pig & I f*cking hate her because I don't think she has much talent & she's a poor role model for young girls, NOT because she has mental problems. And, as most of you know, I've been posting the phrase tongue in cheek for years now. Just didn't want any newbies thinking I'm a heartless bitch.

This whole thing does piss me off in that it's news at all. Sarah pointed out that the rich & famous people have problems too, and being a celebrity doesn't make you perfect & happy - well, it goes both ways. "Normal" people go through this stuff all the time, she's not special because it's happening to her. Leave it in the tabloids & Entertainment Tonight, and get it off of the scrolling news updates on CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, etc. The U.S. is at war, and we have a heated political race going on, but this is high priority news that we all must know? Please. THAT'S what bothers me.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by trackaghost

. . . Maybe that's just me, but I wouldn't be thinking of photo deals if I just found out my 16-year-old was pregnant.

I think, with respect, no one would care if that were the case. I think with celebrities it is different. She's going to have to start going to the doctor. When she does that, third parties know. That doctor's secretary who makes $25,000 a year might think twice about the $500,000 or more (that's at least 20 years (right at her whole whole lifetime of working) salary mind you) she could make without it ever being known that she did it. I know that is horrible, but it is what the Spears have to think about. Would it have been better for it to happen that way or for the girl to do it her way and maintain some degree of control? I think celebrities have to think like that, which is sad I guess.

Also, I believe the Spears girl had known for awhile that she was knocked up. So, any bonding with or care from her mother likely occured then. I think they then approached how to break the news, which makes sense to me.

Then again, I do not think it is such a horrible thing for a 16 year old multi millionaire to get pregnant - again, I think the vast majority of 16 year old girls are having sex; so, I do not label her a slut, etc. It is not as if she is living in Harlem in a five floor walk up with no climate control That child will want for nothing. Perhaps it will suffer emotionally, but that likelihood exists in all cases at all ages and income doesn't it?

Originally Posted by trackaghost

Btw, you do know you've been writing Ashlee instead of Jamie Lynn?

My blonde roots are a showin'