'I know the devastating combination of having a 'major' psychiatric disorder while being young and female.'
, are more likely to be prescribed psychotropic medications, which can make it difficult or impossible to work, parent, be social, or even move. Plenty of people who are prescribed certain medications end up in poverty or returning to a family home. Women with a diagnosis are also more likely to be hospitalized.
As an adult in my 20s, around the age Britney was when she was put into conservatorship, I had mood swings. I had psychotic experiences and wanted control. I did not want medication to rewire me. But it was difficult, or impossible, for me to be “heard.” The word “bipolar” was often the beginning and the end of what doctors wanted or felt they needed to know.
When I told this doctor the drug made me feel terrible and didn’t help, he said: “I can tell you what I’ll give you. I’ll give you more Haldol.” Then he suggested that if I didn’t take it, I might commit suicide, as if mental fog or death were my only options. I have a Britney Spears memory from a time after lithium. At this point I was taking a drug called Depakote, another one that can have severe metabolic side effects. I gained weight again, 30 pounds or more. I was somewhere poolside with my husband. As I was about to jump in the water, a young man nearby hissed, “Do you know how much bigger your thighs are than Britney’s?”Britney he meant. And yes, I did know. How bitterly ironic, I thought, reading Spears’ testimony, the forced touring.
There was a moment in Spears’ testimony that broke my heart. It happened when she was describing how hard and invasive the conservatorship has been. “It’s insane,” she said.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Britney Spears Lawyer and Manager Resign Amid ConservatorshipThe list of people distancing themselves from BritneySpears and the spotlight around her controversial 13-year conservatorship continues to grow.
Read more »
Britney Spears' Lawyer of Choice Agrees to Rep Her in Conservatorship FightMathew Rosengart has agreed to rep Britney Spears.
Read more »
Jamie Spears Accused Of Using Over $2M Of Britney Spears' Money To Defend HimselfBritney Spears' conservator claims Jamie Spears used 'more than $2 million of his daughter's money' to defend himself.
Read more »
Britney Spears' Conservator Claims Dad Used $2M of Star's Funds for His DefenseBritney Spears' personal conservator Jodi Montgomery is alleging in new court papers that Spears' father, Jamie, used $2 million of the pop superstar's funds in his own defense.
Read more »
Britney Spears Finds Conservator Jodi 'Very Supportive' as She's 'Pushing Back' on Dad Jamie: SourceA source tells PEOPLE that Britney Spears finds her personal conservator Jodi Montgomery 'very supportive' since she's been 'pushing back' against her dad Jamie
Read more »