To be saddened but unsurprised by Britney Spears' testimony?

[plodalong12]

Listening to this and hearing Britney talk about the control of her father reminded me of watching the documentary Amy and I feel the same sort of Mitch Winehouse/Amy Winehouse vibe and we all know how that ended.

Someone is either too mentally ill to be in control of their own life or they are deemed well enough to be a judge on The X Factor, do a four-year Vegas live show followed immediately by a world tour. It can't be both.

"I haven't done anything in the world to deserve this treatment. It's not okay to force me to do anything I don't want to do"

I also take issue with the debate being aimed mostly at women’s mental health. I know this was the original point regarding Britney Spears and we got a bit off topic, but there seems to be an undertone of ‘conspiracy’ to medicate women and keep them quiet. Men have mental health issues too and most don’t seek medical help until there are serious issues. The suicide rate among men in this country has skyrocketed as a result.

Very much like yourself. No empathy, discrediting me because I have no official label and not been medicated so therefore my experiences are not valid or as good as those who have been medicated or could not have been serious. Always an accusation you are doing yourself.

Absolutely @pam290358. It's a silent killer for men. They are in desperate need of awareness regarding mental health. We also need a way to tackle the culture that tells men that being vulnerable or seeking help isn't masculine, which exacerbates the issue.

What's happened is awful but definitely not surprising.
It's pure misogyny that she's been treated like this.

It's like she's been pimped.

@Awalkintime for someone who claims to be an individual you sure do like to parrot me.

But I honestly do wish you well. What do I gain from your suffeting? Absolutely nothing. I just pray that you're never in a position to make important decisions regarding the mental health of others.

Just as an aside, I do actually understand the concept of the effect of external forces. I lost my husband four years ago to a shock cancer diagnosis - he collapsed, they diagnosed advanced lung cancer and a few days later he died without fully regaining consciousness. This could be considered a trauma could it not ? My GP prescribed Temazepam as a short term measure - not to ‘silence’ me, but to bring about some peace while I sorted myself out. Long term anti depressants and appropriate counselling followed. I am still here, I am relatively OK - recurring bouts of depression treated successfully with SSRI’s. Yes, this was brought on by trauma caused by external forces, but it was no less a mental illness for all that. The natural part of it, the grief, remains, but the illness it caused was successfully treated medically.

But speaking of credentials, it matters naught to me. I mean, I have a degree in psychological science and that obviously means naught to you so we're even I guess?

@pam290358 I am so sorry that happened. My condolences

But I agree. Mental illness and trauma is exhausting. Medication can give you the opportunity to rest and recuperate so that you can handle therapy and actually benefit from it fully.

AzraiL

So you are suggesting I am not mentally capable of making a decision for someone else?

Let me return your question with a question. You have medical power of attorney for a friend. You visit her home and let yourself in. You find your friend covered in blood. She's taken to hospital. She has tried to takeher own life. They keep her for observation anfhave her assessed. The psychiatrist speaks with you and tells you that your friend has schizophrenia, and tried to commit suicide because 'the voices told her to'. They put her on anti-psychotics and give her a referral for further treatment. She is released into your care. You take her home. You are responsible for making sure she takes these medications. They have warned you that she must take them or she will have another episode of violence, possibly towards herself, possibly towards you. Either way, without those pills violence is guaranteed.

Do you make sure she takes those pills?

My answer depends on yours.

@diddl

I'm also unsure about the boyfriend.

I can see how her talking about marriage & kids might raise concerns.

What I kind of don't get is why they are all living off her.

Is that what a conservatorship is all about?-or only when a rich person is concerned?

To have a trust looking after her finances for her is one thing.

But why tours full time?

Why does she need to work rather than focus on getting help-for 13yrs!!

The boyfriend seems odd to me too. She's controlled to the point of not being able to choose her own contraception or her changed privately but able to pick her own boyfriend?

I hope it is true, but I bet it's not!

And whilst the talk arguments generally about mental health are valid it is getting very off topic and de-raily- perhaps a new thread?

Horrific listening.

If she has /had mental health issues then join the club - but I'm not surprised she has given what she is going through . It's torture. To be forced to work , and other for the people who are keeping you captive in this way must be so hard to process. It would drive anyone to mental illness.

She sounded absolutely coherent and compos mentis in that interview.

She is basically a slave , a money making machine for those who control her . Poor poor woman .

If it was me, I wouldn't take it myself but it isn't about me.

I would do what they wanted me to do as they have autonomy over their body. If they wanted that medication then that is down them. I would help them fulfil their wishes. Disagreeing with their choices and controlling them are two separate things.

However, how would you treat me if I said no I didn't want medicating? Would you stand by my autonomy or force me against my wishes?

Autonomy. That's an important word. Please don't peak of me respecting your autonomy when you've disrespected everytonron this thread that has exercised that very right by caling them 'doped up' and 'silenced'.

So what you're saying though, essentially, is that if your friend approached you and said 'hi! I feel great now! I don't think I need to take these meds anymore!' that you would cease giving her those pills?

You accuse me of not listening and ignoring what is written.

If your friend approached you and said 'hi! I feel great now! I don't think I need to take these meds anymore!' that you would cease giving her those pills?

However, how would you treat me if I said no I didn't want medicating? Would you stand by my autonomy or force me against my wishes?

I totally agree @StrongerThanA90sTrend, his timing on speaking up feels very strategic. It may be that it’s the first time he’s felt confident enough to say something given the publicity and that her dad can’t just shove him off quietly. Only time will tell. I do hope he is genuine for her sake, after everything she has been through she definitely deserves happiness, like you say a small town genuine guy. I can’t help but compare to Dolly Parton, it’s always been her in the spotlight and her husband no where to be seen, but she’s always talked about his support of her. Britney needs that, someone who cares about her not his own celebrity status. Unfortunately she’s always going to be a target for scum bags and if I was her I’m not sure I could ever trust anyone again.

I also think her dad is making strategic moves, selling up and moving into a RV pitched outside the warehouse with her memorabilia. He’s going to play the I only ever wanted what’s best for her, if I wanted her money why am I living in an RV card…. Given what an abusive controlling prick he is, I wouldn’t be surprised if he burns the warehouse down with all her things in it out of spite when he looses control of it all.

Has anyone seen - Britney is in Hawaii with Sam apparently. I wonder if they're alone?

@Awalkintime maybe take some time to think about your answer then get back to me.

It’s appalling
I’ve always felt a deep disquiet about this
One the one hand they claim she is incapable and yet they work her to exhaustion and make money
Off her ?

It’s unspeakable

I desperately hope she can emancipate herself

And how she can heal and move
Onwards ? I don’t know

@Awalkintime

However, how would you treat me if I said no I didn't want medicating? Would you stand by my autonomy or force me against my wishes?

If you were considered a risk to the public, then your autonomy ceases to be the only consideration.

Same thing with me and with anybody else.

Someone in the middle of an acute psychotic episode is, by definition, not the best judge of their own situation. Perhaps you are going to suggest that psychosis doesn't exist. (Actually, I'm pretty sure you are.)

[quote AzraiL]@Awalkintime maybe take some time to think about your answer then get back to me.[/quote]
Likewise.

Bloody hell can you two take your argument elsewhere??

"She is basically a slave , a money making machine for those who control her . Poor poor woman"

It does seem that way doesn't it?

I would have thought that she already had someone dealing with bills, expenses etc.

The need to strip her of any autonomy then pay yourself!!

It really is hard to comprehend.