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Home / Entertainment

Britney faces 'involuntary commitment' (+video)

By Myrddin Gwynedd
1 Feb, 2008 08:12 AM9 mins to read

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Britney Spears was previously taken to hospital on January 3 after police spent about four hours at her house trying to mediate a custody dispute. Photo / Reuters/Hollywood TV

Britney Spears was previously taken to hospital on January 3 after police spent about four hours at her house trying to mediate a custody dispute. Photo / Reuters/Hollywood TV

KEY POINTS:

Troubled singer Britney Spears was rushed to hospital again last night for a psychiatric hold.
The mad dash occurred after Spears' psychiatrist decided her mental condition had deteriorated.
Escorted by police and medical personnel, Spears was WILLINGLY taken to UCLA Medical Centre, where she remains on a 72-hour emergency hold,
known as a 5150 - which means she's a danger to herself and others.
Click here to watch footage of Spears being rushed to hospital.
"She went willingly. It was like something in her heart was telling her she should go. She knew something was wrong," confidant Sam Lutfi tells People.
Spears' mother, father and sister were at the star's home when the emergency services arrived.
According to British tabloid The Sun, the star was said to be "inert, unresponsive and confused."
Earlier in the night, internet rumors claimed that the singer had attempted suicide, but Spears' manager Sam Lutfi denied those claims.
Update:
9:00pm: Kevin Federline has broken his silence over the Britney affair and says he is "worried" about the troubled singer and feels the psych unit is the "best place for her right now."
According to Showbizspy.com, Federline - who is currently locked in a bitter custody battle with Spears - "doesn't want her to get out until she's made progress."
Meanwhile, TMZ.com is reporting that Spears has been classified as "G.D" - Gravely Disabled. The website claims this classification is a "huge and dangerous deal"
The G.D status allegedly means Spears is unable to take care of her basic needs, such as eating, clothing or shelter.
Being G.D is one of the criteria for involuntary commitment.
The website also claims health care professionals tell them that Spears has fallen into a "manic state" due to her supposed bipolar disorder.
12:30pm: The gloves are off as Sam Lutfi and Spears' parents are at loggerheads.
Accesshollywood.com reports that Lutfi is lashing out at Lynne Spears.
When asked how he and Lynne were getting along following Spears' hospital admission, he reportedly said he doubted she cared for her daughter.
"No. Her mother is not someone who cares about her daughter, she's only concerned with herself. Sad but true. She was too busy getting a manicure to come over yesterday, despite her daughters (sic) pleas. Sad, very sad," he reportedly told Access in a text message.
Meanwhile, another of the men in Spears' life faces possible deportation, so says Dailymail.co.uk.
10:10am: Sam Lutfi speaks.
Britney Spears' manager has spoken for the first time about his wayward client and her sad demise.
"She's doing fine right now," he tells The Insider. "Britney is fine, she's calm, not a happy camper, but I'm hoping she gets the treatment necessary, I love and support her all the way."
10:00am: Britney Spears will be going home to Louisiana to live with her mother once she's released from hospital, reports say.
A source close to the Spears clan tells contactmusic.com that Lynne is waiting for her daughter to be discharged so she can take her home.
"Lynne is extremely concerned for her daughter and would like to take Britney back home to Louisiana and get her out of Hollywood.
"Brit has an amazing support system in Louisiana. "Lynne was holding up reasonably well, but her first priority and concern right now is with her daughter and helping her through this very tough situation that she is in."
9.45am: According to X17online.com, this is what's in store for Spears: She will be held for at least 72 hours, and up to 14 days, will be encouraged to sleep and given sleeping pills, as well as Ativan (an anti-anxiety medication). More details below.
8:30am: In a move which will no doubt please Spears' family, sources tell Pagesix.com that lawyers representing the star have been instructed not to talk to Sam Lutfi.
This latest development follows earlier reports of a dramatic showdown between Lutfi and Spears' parents inside the hospital, over the star's wellbeing.
7:50am: Britney Spears' family specifically chose to admit her to the UCLA Medical Center because of its experience with treating bipolar disorder, a source tells Usmagazine.com.
"Her lawyers and doctors have been working with UCLA," the source says. "They were ready and had everything in place."
For those of you who have just tuned in, here's a summary of events:
Spears' psych went to her home and decided she was in need of medical intervention - partly because of her reckless driving and general "downhill behaviour".
The psych then put into motion the intervention plan which had been hatched days ago.
Sources say cops and emergency crew knew about the intervention and had actually planned to take the star away the night BEFORE.
Sadly, there is now reportedly a dogfight happening between Spears' family and her manager, Sam Lutfi, over who will make medical decisions for the star.
But word has it that Spears' family are slowly taking control of what happens to her daughter.
As it blooming' should be.
However, a judge will ultimately decide who is responsible for Spears' care.
Sources inside UCLA Medical Center tells TMZ that Spears checked into the hospital under an alias, and that events inside were "bizarre."
The website claims Spears was taking Adderall, a stimulant used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder, and was also taking up to ten laxatives a day.
Spears, a source tells Usmagazine.com, "had been up since Saturday without any sleep. But that was a good situation for her to be in because she would be too exhausted to protest going in."
It's also claimed that when she was admitted, Spears accused her mother Lynne of "sleeping with my boyfriend", while hurling profanities at medical staff.
I'm told there's also a "good possibility" Spears' 5150 hold will be extended for up to 14 days.
But once that time's up, it's anyone's guess as to what happens next.
So what's in store for Britney?
According to X17online.com, this is what's in store for Spears:
* Britney will be held for at least 72 hours, and up to 14 days if the LA County officer deems her a danger to herself and others.
* Britney will be supervised around the clock by nurses and security, unable to even bathe by herself.
* Over the first few days, Britney will be encouraged to sleep as much as possible, and will be administered sleeping pills, as well as Ativan (an anti-anxiety medication) to help her do so. Meds are doled out three times a day.
* The psych ward consists of two wings, with 10 rooms each. Although there are 2 beds per room, it's doubtful that Britney is sharing with anyone. None of the rooms have televisions, although there is a TV in the common area.
* The patients are divided into two categories: addicts and bi-polars, with the highest risk patients restrained by wristbands in their beds.
* Most of the patients are from 18-50 years old, with at least half of the residents were considered high risk, and therefore restrained.
* The ward is an extremely "tough" environment to live in, with patients getting quite agitated and screams being heard all hours of the night.
* After the first few days, Britney will most likely be put on Depakote Seroquel and Lithium for the bi-polar, and Ativan for anti-anxiety.
* Britney will not be allowed outside during the first 72 hours, after that, she'll be allowed to visit an outdoor court for one hour a day, at 3pm.
* She's allowed to be in her own clothes, with a green, hospital issue robe worn on top, and nothing else but a wristband that contains her social security number and her date of admittance.
Meanwhile, former talk show host Rosie O'Donnell blogs about Spears.
O'Donnell waxes lyrical about the troubled singer's downfall, and that nobody could possible have foreseen the future troubles that awaited hr.
"They could not have known at the start that this would be the result. It is sold as the answer," she says, adding, "She wanted it, the mothers always said, as way of both apology and explanation."
Rosie also wants to help Spears: "If I had a magic wand, I would will her the strength, Windex all windows, watch the sun warm her soul."
Sources: Theinsideronline.com, X17online.com
Story developing. Stay tuned for updates...
And now onto something completely different...
Tube HiJack-son
London Tube passengers were left slack-jawed this week when a group of commuters got up off their seats and performed a highly polished dance routine to Michael Jackson's Thriller.
How fabulously random.
The passengers looked on with bemused wonder as the dancers proceeded to entertain the lethargic crowd.
While others, in typical commuter mode simply ignored the spectacle before them.
Which, I have to say, is not a huge surprise.
Having commuted on the Tube myself for 5 years, I've witnessed this "don't acknowledge it, and it'll go away" behavior on several occasions.
I vividly remember one Tube trip to Central London when a passenger proceeded to wrap himself in newspaper and began spouting poetry for the best part of an hour.
But nary a commuter lifted their eyes from their newspapers.
Classic.
A Transport for London spokesperson said: "There are clearly occasions, like this, when everyone enjoys being entertained by some talented people.
"There are other occasions where inconsiderate behaviour can spoil a journey for other passengers. Our message is simply that a little consideration to your fellow passengers can make a real difference to everyone."
Watch a video of the impromptu Tube dance here.
S*** happens
Check out this video clip of a news reporter sent out on location to cover a story about a major infestation of birds.
Decked out in mac, the intrepid reporter then proceeds to do his piece to camera, looks up to the sky open mouthed, and...
See for yourselves here.
Me time...
Please vote for my blog in the 2008 Web Awards.
Click here to vote for me as best blog.
Your support is gold.
Fast gossip
Give me five minutes and I'll tell you everything...
* Christina Ricci wants that monkey off her breast: A Socialite's Life
* Kate Moss wants to get married: Hollywood Rag
* Real people saying really stupid things on reality TV: Mollygood
* Megan Fox finally sees the light: Celeb News Wire
* Eva Longoria sounds like a bunny boiler: Mollygood
* New James Bond poster? Celebritypuke

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