What is going on with Britney?

[BabylovesJohnny]

Just that really. I was early teens when she first appeared on the scene and I’ve always had a soft spot for her. She’s obviously got issues but I thought she was in a good place until recently. Her instagram account suggests otherwise. Has anyone else noticed? I hope she’s ok.

[Bluntness100]

No it definitely cited dementia, but it could be a catch all headline term to hide the true information, the court was closed and the proceedings sealed, so folks just don’t know. I think it was done initially after her first or second involuntary sectioning. She is though assessed privately with court appointed doctors,and is able to say she wishes the guardianship removed. Her desire to have it removed is not what the court basis it’s decisions on for obvious reasons.

It’s reported she does wish the guardianship removed but the court made it permanent, her lawyers stated it was because she didn’t understand effectively and the court elected to protect her.

The court is closed as are her medical files, so folks can only assume that the judge and the independent medical assessments which are done annually are keeping this in place for her own protection. As her father stepped down, she requested her mother step up to be involved and that’s been done.

I think saying the court and the medical staff involved are all colluding is a bit of a reach. She has a full time care team, care manager, and security team round her, so clearly there is a need. She is on medication to control her conditions, and when she stops taking them her parents pull her from anything public or being involved with her kids. I think we all are aware of very ill people and the impacts stopping taking medication can have,

My take is she’s being protected for her own good and that she is being enabled to do what she loves and wishes within her own ability levels, whilst maintaining protection where she needs it for her sake.

[SisterAgatha]

I’m not googling for you. I am no one secretary and I have told you what they say, you can either think the doctors and court is mistaken and you know better or you can take it as read. The documentation is available if you google. If you struggle to do this, then I’m sorry I do not feel inclined to support you in how to google.

Not related to Britney but this is a beautifully worded response to a situation I feel everyday in RL so I’m stealing these words for later!

[SirChing]

Oooh I didn't even think about collusion between the courts and medics. That sounds like a total conspiracy theory. Is that what the free Britney fans are saying? That's bonkers!

Far more likely that like a lot of MH legal paperwork, if it hasn't been updated to reflect recent case/statute law, then there can be elements of ticking the box which is the "best fit".

The conspiracy theorists sound equally if not more troubled than Britney to be honest. I totally agree with whichever PP said it's being done to protect her. No-one puts measures so restrictive in place lightly. No when it involves deprivation of liberty.

[SisterAgatha]

The thing I find troubling about the whole freebritney thing is that it assumes because she’s young, pretty, can still dance and perform, that’s she’s obviously completely healthy and her MH problems are made up.

It doesn’t even do her justice; that she’s got these problems and can still perform.

[Bluntness100]

Sir ching they have to be saying that, because the court is making the judgment. It is their decision. And the judge does so on medical experts advice the court has appointed. So for the free Britney thing to be valid they need to say rhe court and all rhe medical advisors are in cahoots with her dad and the lawyers to keep her under the guardianship. 🤷‍♀️ Suspect they are all just too daft to make that connection though...

The fact rhe judge had made it permanent speaks to her ability to recover. It is still reviewed though, but it is permanent now.

For me the question is not, is Britney under this against her will, that’s like saying are people sectioned against their will. The question is is she capable of understanding the risks to her if she wasn’t under it, and does she need to be under it for her own welfare and protection. The court clearly felt she isn’t and she does, based on the medical information they were given.

And Agatha, yes, it’s my pet hate 🤣

[Mydarlingsleepthief]

@Bluntness100 are you an AMHP? Don’t answer if you don’t want to, I’m just curious

[SirChing]

That makes sense Bluntness. Unlike the free Britney idiots! It is utterly reasonable to have safeguards in place so that if her MH declines for any reason, BS and her assets and sons are protected.

PS please don't think those of us who can't find stuff think others are making stuff up or can't be arsed to look. They could well be like me and be a total Luddite with technology and shit at thinking of the proper terms to Google. I only found the court papers through the bonkers free Britney website

[Nosebogey]

[quote FoxtrotOscar20]@fluffybandana Yes this is what I thought. She has a gap between her front teeth now. Maybe she has neglected herself a bit. That's sad[/quote]
Less neglect, more veneers. She’s had work done on her face a few times over the years.

[PicsInRed]

I remember that years ago it was reported that her grandmother (who sadly committed suicide as a young mother) had bipolar and it was suspected that Britney had inherited this condition.

[PicsInRed]

She talks about bipolar here.

m.independent.ie/entertainment/britney-spears-opens-up-on-bipolar-disorder-i-turn-into-a-different-person-29861547.html

Further alluded to here:

www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/07/jamie-lynn-britney-spears-mental-health

That picture of Britney Spears with her sister is so sad. BS looks quite fragile and unwell. The article states that Jamie Lynn is looking to take over the conservatorship as their father is now too unwell.

It's all extremely sad.

[Bluntness100]

Mydarling, no not even remotely. I just find it disturbing,, it is very rare this sort of situation arises, when it’s this severe, this public, and I feel sorry for her parents. Can you imagine this was your child?

Sir ching, yup, thats why rhe free Britney is so wrong, they are not taking into account that for her to be under this against her will but able to function then the court and independent doctors would all need to be colluding with her father, that’s a conspiracy theory too far,,,

And the focus on is she under this against her will is just stupidly asking the wrong question,, it really is about does she understand why she’s under it, does she understand what risks she faces if she isn’t, and does she need to be under it for her own protection or could she function enough to manage her life and affairs with out it.

The court decision tells us that based on the independent medical advice that she isn’t able to understand and is under it for her own protection and that it’s so severe it is is for the rest of her life, it is not recoverable .

To take her out from under it, is likely to be something that could ultimately kill her.

[Mydarlingsleepthief]

Don’t you think that the Free Brittany movement needs addressing though? As it’s getting huge and is isn’t going away!

[Bluntness100]

But how do you address it. Other than reveal her health issues to the public so they know, how do you address it?

They can’t reveal it, it would be terribly wrong of them to do so, she’s entitled to her privacy, and clearly doesn’t want the world to know, so how else do you address it?

Other than to point out, as both her father and lawyers have done, that the folks engaging in this nonsense don’t know her situation, and that there is only one person in total control here and that’s the judge who is making rhe decision, and that of course she doesn’t want to be under it, because she doesn’t under stand the very real risks to herself of not being under it.

[boltzmannbrains]

It’s not a “movement” it’s just people who are really into celeb gossip being loud on social media.

I’m sure there have been plenty of celeb “scandals” that have generated a similar level of interest. Plus the media are mostly staying away - because they know there are limits when it comes to covering medical/legal cases. So if anything it’s much easier for Britney and her people to ignore, than a typical celeb scandal where they’ve got reporters outside their front door every day, their phone ringing off the hook, and paps following them everywhere.

It’s very sad and I hope she’s receiving the help and support that’s best for her, but fans need to stop being so possessive.

[SisterAgatha]

FreeBritney need to realise that a MH issue is often lifelong and sometimes people, no matter how famous or attractive, don’t get 100% better and may well be on medication for a long time. And still be capable of appearing functioning to some degree.

[Binglebong]

So.e interesting developments on the BBC website. One of the changes she has requested is that she doesn't want to perform at the moment.

[BabylovesJohnny]

I saw that! Very interesting. ‘Her’ Instagram posts continue to baffle though.

[IDontMindMarmite]

That she calls the conservatorship voluntary rather undermines the entire "Free Britney" movement. Which is great, no one wants someone with mental health problems to be forcibly detained in any way.

[Binglebong]

I think she recognises that she needs help but found her father took it too far.

[Bouledeneige]

I don't think the free Britney movement is so wrong. Just look at what happened to Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. It's more complicated where significant financial rewards and conflict of interests come into play.

In fact Britney is under two conservator relationships one independent and one her father - the latter controls all her financial and business affairs. She is now going to court to try to get her father removed and to have both in the hands of the independent conservator. Clearly her performance output including the Vegas residency has been a huge commitment over recent years earning huge amounts of money and yet she has no control over the proceeds. From a mental health perspective you would have to ask whether meeting such a full on schedule is in her best interests.

I think it's interesting that she is not seeking to overturn the conservatorships but seeking to have her father removed from one. That suggests that she accepts she needs help but does not accept her father has her best interests at heart. People with mental health issues still have rights over how they live their life.

[IDontMindMarmite]

What happened to Brian Wilson?

[Callardandbowser]

The picture of her in the mail today is weird she looks like a 9 year old child. There’s something odd about the proportions.

[IBook]

That picture is odd. Is it even really her?

[WolffromTheWest]

It's worrying how many of these young women who start out in the entertainment industry early, go on to have issues and difficulties with MH - Lindsey Lohan, Amanda Bynes, Tara Reid, Brittany Murphy.