Wednesday January 9, 2008
January 7, 2008
Splash News
Britney Spears has been called a “habitual, frequent and continuous” drug abuser, but sources close to the pop star, 26, also say her unstable behavior — such as holding her kids hostage and shaving her head — likely stems from a possible mental disorder.
Below, experts offer diagnoses on what could be wrong with the troubled star:
BIPIOLAR DISORDER
Spears, 26, often has extreme highs (known as manic episodes), such as when she shaved her head, followed by intense lows. Her marathon partying is also a sign.
“You can go all night without sleeping,” psychiatrist Pauline Wallin tells Us Weekly.
Also, “her pattern of self behavior indicates that she doesn’t have a lot of self-control when she gets upset,” Dr. Wallin says. “Getting so upset that she has to be strapped to a gurney obviously is…she’s not working in her kids’ best interests.”
A manic episode could also include, “losing touch with reality,” adds psychiatrist Carole Lieberman.
DEPRESSION
“I think she fits more into agitated depression, where she goes all over town trying to find something that will cheer her up — some kind of temporary Band-Aid, like that paparazzi boyfriend,” Lieberman tells Us. “She’s just reaching out to fill an emptiness.”
Other signs of this disorder?
Eating too much or too little or a change in sleep habits.
Spears' grandmother, who committed suicide, shows a “genetic predisposition to a form of depression,” Lieberman adds.
“Certainly she did have a traumatic childhood between her parent’s dysfunctional relationship and divorce, and her mother pushing her to be a star,” Lieberman says.
BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER
This is characterized by instability in moods, self-image and relationships. “She is showing borderline features,” says specialist Dr. Drew Pinsky, such as her revolving door of staffers and friends.
Other signs of this disorder?
“Reckless driving,” Lieberman says. Spears has been known to blow through stop signs and speed. She also abandoned her car on the side of the road Jan. 7
Lieberman also lists symptoms as chronic feelings of emptiness, inappropriate or intense anger and difficulty controlling anger, and mini-psychotic episodes, such as “when she was being carried to the [ambulance], for example, and she was laughing.”
ANXIETY ATTACKS
Spears may be suffering from unexpected episodes of intense fear. Pal Sam Lutfi said she missed a December deposition because of a panic episode.
“You’re worried all the time,” says Wallin of the affliction, which includes symptoms of paranoia. “You think worst case scenario, and it’s just pervasive. You have trouble relaxing.
But, “I don’t believe that’s her main problem,” Lieberman says. “Her grandmother didn’t die of anxiety disorder, her father didn’t become an addict because of that. She has a more severe kind of problem than [anxiety].”
Check out the latest issue of Us Weekly for more.
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Posted by Lindsay Powers at 8:40 am ET
