Britney - Death by Amusement? - Talking about Bipolar Disorder

connieh1965

1/ 8/08 3:20pm

Hey John,

I think you hit the nail on the head here lets just look at Anna Nichole Smith. same thing happining over with Britney I pray that some divine intervention will help her and that the media will leave her alone for a while like they did with Owen Wilson. I wish her nothing but love. By the way I got your book in the mail yesterday and I can`t put it down its amazing and so are you thank you for being there for so many God Bless you John.

got to get back to your book. Connie

John McManamy, Health Guide

1/ 8/08 3:33pm

Thanks, Connie. She definitely needs oour prayers. Very glad you're enjoying the book.

Judy

1/ 8/08 4:38pm

Hi John...more food for thought. When Britney is in the news, I almost always change the channel. It's too troublesome to watch. The masses love to follow her every move, I just don't get it. Someone needs to get her out of the country for a year so she can rebuild her image - kind of like Michael Jackson did. Then the papparazzi can find someone else to torture. Her family should put their arms around her and let her know they want to support her, and do it. Apparently Britney's mother is too busy with her book deal to bother. This "child" needs guidance and needs it soon.

John McManamy, Health Guide

1/ 8/08 7:58pm

Hi, Judy. More food for thought: When I was growing up, people like JFK and the Mercury 7 astronauts were my heroes. What happened to us as a people?

Sue

1/ 8/08 6:47pm

Yes John, Britney probably even back when she made that bathtub video suspected that maybe something was wrong with herself and was crying out for help. I wasn't diagnosed bipolar until I was 34 but I always knew something was wrong. I had numerous suicide attempts but the dr. I had treated me with talk therapy(no meds) When I finally was correctly diagnosed I was lucky that I hadn't completely ruined my life by bad choices or been succesful at my suicide attempts. I just pray that someone can bond with Britney in a positive way and get her the help she so desperately needs. On the news today they say she was out again last night driving with a flat tire and just left her car on the highway and drove off erraticaly in someone elses car.I also wonder about Dr. Phils' involvement. Was that because of sweeps week coming up or is he really friends with the family?

John McManamy, Health Guide

1/ 8/08 8:05pm

Hi, Sue. I think you're definitely right. I for one knew something wasn't right with me long before I even began to suspect I had bipolar and I suspect most of us can say the same. As for Dr Phil, he's in it for the publicity. If that had been you in that unit, do you think he would have shown up out of concern for you and your family?

Sasha Faynor

1/24/08 5:12pm

Britney's latest perfume is named Believe. It should have been named Retrieve, "Buy this so I can retrieve Dr. Phil's career."

Hopeful mom

1/ 8/08 9:08pm

I'm sick to death of it. Who hasn't driven on a flat tire for heaven's sake? Who hasn't had a kid fall out of a high chair?

Leave the poor kid alone. If they would leave her alone, she may stop acting so psychotic.

John McManamy, Health Guide

1/ 9/08 3:52am

Hi, Hopeful. Very much concur.

steve

1/ 9/08 12:58am

I'm outraged by Dr. Phil's 'intervention'. The woman needs privacy, careful evaluation, and medication. Dogs and cats at the animal shelter get more TLC and respect than someone like Britney. I never cared for her music. I am no fan. But she suffers as I do-- from one or more disorders of the BRAIN. If she had breast cancer or a stroke, we would witness much more balanced and sensitive media coverage. It's an ancient story, played out with a modern twist. The mentally ill get tossed in the snake pit. Will she live, will she die? Stayed tuned America, stay tuned...

John McManamy, Health Guide

1/ 9/08 3:55am

Hi, Steve. Yes, yes ..

polarlight

1/ 9/08 1:30am

I doubt Britney is going to die and if she does I got a feeling God in his good time will just scoop her up.It is not up to us nor would I want death for her Look at the facts for her working out her **** and growing up HER KIDS. I bet she loves those boys with all her soul and that is why she is torn and God be the judge we are spectators and it is sad but she has gained money ,fame and has a big talent that is hard to oppose or even access at this point .These young gifted Artists really do things that others fail to understand cause you live in a straight world with a clock a T.V. and a bunch of middle class things that are considered normal .Britney is a real sweetie in some ways and just needs a little help and time to grow up .she is really exploited and that part must hurt her Mom and others she loves.Look at Elvis ,Buddy Holly ,Jimi ,John L,Jim M. and others that died young and full of life and burnt out .It happens everyday to people we will never hear about that are just as outstanding in God's eyes.Poor kid I hope she just takes it day by day and gets proper rest and Medication maybe finds a sport or hobby that she loves or helps UNICEF or becomes a mirror of good intent for us all.I wish her all the new life she can find in the Lord and an abundance of love from her real fans and boys God Bless the little squeeze play she is a bit out there but who is not in this world we all have our crosses .Gosh those KIDS of hers are so cute and that Dad is trying so hard you know what I mean.....treat them well Roll Eyes

Polarlight

John McManamy, Health Guide

1/ 9/08 4:06am

Hi, Polarlight. One observation. My guess is Elvis and the rest had a semblance of normal lives before they became famous. Elvis drove a truck, I know. Britney never had a chance at a normal life. In this sense, she's like an animal born and raised alone in captivity. She never learned the social and emotional and practical rules. She can never live "in the wild." I don't know what the answer is, but stressed out individuals in stressful situations do not fare well. All the king's horses and all the king's men ...

mjkilb

1/ 9/08 6:59pm

This is a thought provoking subject. I appreciate your arguments. Individuals make up society, and society provides media coverage. There is subject matter that is carefully targeted toward different audiences. It doesn’t matter if it be a world or local news topic, a reality television program, or a family comedy. This involves not just television, but literature and internet as well. Oh, and now cell phones, too!

As the individuals of society, we need to determine ourselves, personal boundaries when it comes to the information we consume. Each of us has a responsibility to his fellowman to have consideration and respect, for another humans personal life issues. Is that nullified if you chose to be an entertainer in the public eye? Human suffering should not be entertainment.

Later…

John McManamy, Health Guide

1/ 9/08 8:46pm

Hi, MJ. Most definitely. Respecting personal boundaries is part of the glue that holds society together. An individual doesn't lose their right to privacy by virtue of being an entertainer. Granted, an entertainer needs to keep generating publicity just to keep working - it's how the game is played. But even hockey has a penalty box.

polarlight

1/10/08 5:31am

I still say the saving grace in this whole ordeal are her Kids.I think with time and there is a lot of it if our generation would slow down and smell the flowers instead of everyone's pocket book or back pocket, she will come into a clear .I know in a twisted moment she is going to go oops I get it !!she is going to be right in the beam and figure out lost time is time gained through not only hard work but true grit and honesty about herself .I have a lot of faith in people sometimes to much but I believe she will get her own universe outside all the commands of the public ,her generation and find peace and then she is so in love with those little guys she will do great things for them just through being a good mommy a bad mommy a messed up mommy a responsible mommy and a fun one by the looks of it???Know what I mean Jelly Beans Polarlight Happy

bud

1/11/08 1:04pm

You are correct, correct, correct. Anybody suffering from depression or a mood disorder can relate. She needs people who truly love her in her corner...unfortunately everybody in her corner seems to just want something from her!!! I see tradgedy in this poor girls future. We all know what is enevitable if she continues own this path.

tempestuous harmony

1/11/08 10:39pm

you are so right here...

anyone having to live the life of mega-stardom is bound to feel the pressure it slings at you.

well written.

jjmasp

1/12/08 10:38pm

Thanks for sharing about Brittney. Fame could have done her damage, but I feel different about her situation. I believe that she really loved Kevin F. and she believed that he loved her. I think she went off the deep end when she realized that he did not love her but used her for her money. And that brings a deep saddness to my heart. I believe she may be bipolar, but she needs to be healed in her heart. She should leave LA if she should have some life of peace. She would also need to stay close to her parents and/or her sister so she is not alone. I hope her current boyfriend is not taking advantage of Brittney and planning to write a tell-all about her life. She is very vulnerable and I think people should be supportive of her not because of her actions, but she is a life worth saving. Thanks for listening.

lillibilly

2/ 1/08 7:20am

jjmasp: you are ABSOLUTELY RIGHT! I think it is all down to Kevin, too. Plus her mother putting her in the limelight since a young age. But I hope her family can help her now, I think they still are the only ones who can, her mother most of all.

Stormfuries

1/18/08 1:48pm

I never watch nor listen to the garbage about celebraties...most is false and most is always disparging.

I only wished to add the similarities between Diana, Princess of Wales and Britney, Princess of Pop; to me the media over the long-haul will be responsible for what I hope is not another death.

Sasha Faynor

1/24/08 5:08pm

I miss the young woman with the spectacular smile, mega-watt stage presence, and dazzling dance moves. Ms. Britney Spears is not at her best, but I don't think she needs to move to Wyoming or that being a pop star dooms her.

Depressives and manic-depressives are very sensitive to their environments. I don't think the paparazzi are Britney's problem, it's the creeps she allows in her life, and her lack of understanding as to how to take care of herself. It seems as if her hormones triggered her mood swings after she gave birth to her second child so closely after her first and as her marriage crumbled. Her father's family history suggests a genetic predisposition to bipolar, manic depression, self-destructive behavior, whatever you want to call it.

Britney does need a miracle. I pray that someone like her mom can convince her to get medical help during one of those random moments of clarity that often occur between mood swings. I pray that that someone arms themselves with knowledge about coping with bipolar disorder via articles such as "Coping with Bipolar Disorder: How Successful Patients Stay Well." http://www.mcmanweb.com/coping_bipolar.htm

I was more out there than Britney. It took me 7 trips to the psych ward to rethink my bipolar diagnosis and my recreational drug usage. I've been healthy for years, but I had to completely change my lifestyle and figure out how to stay healthy by experimentation and hanging out in medical libraries (pre-internet) in the 1980s when diagnosis meant a prescription and a lecture.

Although we know a lot more about conquering bipolar today, I think that sadly, most patients still just get a prescription, minus the lecture. For example, research about exercise as a potent anti-depressant has been around for 50 years, yet, I don't see any psychiatrists pushing push-ups.

jaiane

2/ 7/08 5:28pm

I was very touched by your story about Britney and others that have not been allowed or given the chance to have their own life, due to family that is very selfish in wanting their children to be "famous" to fullfil dreams of their own. Britney did not have a chance to be a kid, and neither will her sister. Britney has been through a lot, and I do believe she has been masking her symptoms as well has she could, but a person can only do that for a certain amount of time usually. She has many problems, but they can be overcome if she allows people to help her that has the experience to do so.Denial is an awful thing, and unfortunately most people do hit "rock bottom" before they seek help. I know that you were aware of all these things, I only hope someday celebrities will able to have a life that I feel like they want. to be treated like a regular person. Lives have been lost of very talented people from various reasons, some of natural reasons, and some that were not natural. Bless Heath Ledger and his family for the untimely death os such a talented man. Anita Gilmore

Britney - Death by Amusement?

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