Britney bipolar? You think?

Let's see. Spending money like it grows on trees? Check. Self medicating? Check. Hyper sexuality? Check. No clear concept of cause and effect? Check. Erratic behavior? Please. But is it just typical spoiled celebrity business as usual? Publicity stunts? Come on folks, I know that is takes at least nine years and six doctors for the average sufferer to be diagnosed, but this chick sounds classic.

So now that we've thoroughly enjoyed the continuing saga of Britney, her many adventures with her famous friends, her eclectic wardrobe or lack of it, her marriages and their fiery finales, her babies and parenting predicaments - perhaps we should consider the 26 year old woman who is spiraling out of control while everyone gets a giggle or makes a buck at her expense. This is a tragedy. And while everyone seems to have their nose plastered against the window to watch, why isn't anyone doing anything to help this girl?

I'm sure not blaming her family because I know well enough that once a child is "legal" there isn't a damn thing that parents can do with regard to getting someone treatment beyond suggesting it. And I'm pretty sure that one of Brit's symptoms is a startling lack of insight into her own illness - so she's not about to check herself into any hospital any time soon. But you'd think that the folks who hold her contracts might have a little influence by threatening to pull the plug on the money machine. But wait... they make even more money if her antics keep her in the news!

I've had a hard time with this one, often finding myself more contemptuous than sympathetic even though her behavior smells like full blown mania from here. After a lot of soul searching, I came to the conclusion that most of the people I know with bipolar disorder have to fight to be treated and are constantly at war with the insurance company or the VA or Social Security. They have few choices with regard to health providers and are nearly always struggling to pay for medications. They are under or unemployed and live with their parents or in low income housing. Some are homeless. Britney has every available option for treatment, but that doesn't make her less sick. In fact, it probably makes it worse - insulating her from reality and providing her with loads of enablers who profit from her pain.

People afflicted with bipolar disorder and untreated are disabled. In fact the World Health Organization considers them as disabled as paraplegics. Without proper treatment, Britney is not going to get better and is likely to end her life, by accident or with intent. I suppose that would be the Hollywood ending, but it would be such a waste. Those boys deserve their mother. Their mother deserves treatment.

(Ed. note: NAMI weighs in on Britney and the media here.)