As a clinician, I am tremendously concerned for the well-being of Britney Spears.
She was sufficiently psychiatrically ill to require two involuntary holds and consideration for a 14-day hold, status reserved for the most severely acute psychiatrically ill patients in the hospital. We can only hope that she at least is willing to follow the recommendations of her treating physicians which will no doubt include intensive structure and follow up in the out patient environment.
One of the features of many psychiatric conditions is a loss of insight. Rather than acknowledging their illness many patients blame the world around them for their distress.
It’s hard to create motivation to change if someone does not acknowledge the need for it. Addicts frequently manifest this sort of what we call "stinking thinking." It is in fact a defining feature of the condition. We also refer to this as denial.
Britney has conditions that are treatable if she cooperates with her treating professionals. They are there to help and one can only hope that she complies before a terrible tragedy unfolds.
- Dr. Drew Pinsky, MD
A behind the scenes look at “Anderson Cooper 360°” and the stories it covers, written by Anderson Cooper, the AC360° staff and a network of contributors. Insight you can’t find anywhere else.
We search the news each day to show you what’s on our radar and what we’re planning for the show each night.
For more details, read our tips on how to win 360° approval for comments.
Send your instant feedback to Anderson Cooper 360°.
- Real-life effects of reform getting lost in the noise
- Evening Buzz: Buying Health Care Reform Votes
- Live Blog from the Anchor Desk 12/21/09
- U.S. soldiers in Iraq could face courts-martial for getting pregnant
- FAQs about health care reform
- Interactive: Brittany Murphy’s acting career
- Senate health care reform bill
- House health care reform bill
- Interactive: The top 10 Health-Care-Reform Players
- Video: Child custody battle continues
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2005

