Nurses Putting Up With Britney
Britney Spears is pictured on Monday in Los Angeles, allegedly after fighting with close friend Sam Lufti.
BY BILL ZWECKER Sun-Times Columnist
February 01, 2008
For Britney Spears’ sake (and, ultimately, her sanity), let’s hope the powers-that-be — including the legal authorities; her psychiatrist, Dr. Deborah Nadel; her parents, Lynne and Jamie Spears; and even Sam Lufti, the man she told an admitting nurse at UCLA Medical Center was her ’’personal soul mate’’ — can all get on the same page and make sure the troubled star gets the long-term help she needs.
Court: Spears’ dad gets control; Lufti banned Advice for Britney: Celebs offer it up Britney confined again, and now it’s up to the doctors Psychologists to America: Leave Britney alone! Choreographer puts Britney’s ‘Meltdown’ on stage
• Among the things that led Spears’ shrink to insist on the entertainer’s immediate hospitalization early today was the fact she was suffering severe abdominal pains — brought on by either real or imagined reactions to the medications prescribed to help with her bipolar disease and possibly the fact ’’she had been taking laxative tablets like they were Lifesavers — more than a dozen a day,’’ said a Spears insider.
• In addition, Dr. Nadel was concerned by physical evidence Spears had been ’’cutting herself’’ — both on her arms and legs. She also reportedly had marks on her feet that seemed to indicate she had stabbed herself repeatedly with a pencil.
• The battle for control of Britney’s trust continues between her parents and Lufti and on-again-off-again beau Adnan Ghalib. ’’She is so clearly bipolar,’’ said a longtime assistant. ’’One moment she’s crying and begging her mother for help … the next she’s screaming profanities at her. The same goes for Sam [Lufti] and Adnan,’’ who the source predicts will soon be totally out of the picture.
• Speaking of control — Spears supposedly has rewritten her will and changed certain aspects of her financial power-of-attorney documents in the past 48 hours. ’’She also has altered the amounts of money people authorized can withdraw from her checking accounts,’’ said my source. ’’She also added Sam to a couple of accounts he wasn’t on before.’‘
However, as of late today, Spears had yet to voluntarily sign a medical power of attorney form at UCLA Medical Center, allowing her parents (or Lufti) control over decisions regarding her treatment.
It was thought her doctors — in concert with Spears’ parents — would go into court to achieve that without her permission.
• Nurses at the hospital were complaining Thursday about Britney’s language. ’’She doesn’t utter a sentence without it being jampacked with lots of ‘f-this’ and ‘f-that,’ ’’ said a veteran medical center staff member.
• While Dr. Phil McGraw certainly has caught a lot of flak over his involvement in the Spears case, sources both close to him and Britney’s mother, Lynne, confirm the TV advice guru and the senior Spearses are not as estranged as has been reported. ’’Lynne is still upset that Dr. Phil has talked too much about Britney, but he was the one who recommended Dr. Nadel to them as a psychiatrist he trusted — especially concerning treatment for bipolar disease in young women,’’ said a Lynne Spears pal.
The fortysomething, Santa Monica, Calif.-based Nadel has an excellent reputation in the Los Angeles area, reportedly with a patient roster that ’’reads like a Who’s Who list,’’ said a UCLA Medical Center source familiar with her practice.
’’Though most of her patients are not entertainers.’‘
• Even though it’s unclear where Spears could move to ensure her more privacy (maybe the moon?), I’m also hearing that a couple of real estate agents have been contacted by Britney’s people, talking about putting the singer’s Studio City gated mansion up for sale.
At any rate, while the hotel heiress’ voice is a bit thin, she did wax poetic on the subject of singing to my New York stringer Baird Jones at the Big Apple party Wednesday launching the Blackberry Pink Pearl Smartphone.
“It was great when Johnny Depp’s ‘Sweeney Todd’ succeeded because I have a musical movie coming up myself,” Hilton told Jones. “I sing 12 songs in ‘Repo! The Genetic Opera.’ Sarah Brightman plays my nemesis and Paul Sorvino plays my father. ... The whole movie is rock opera, so I am actually singing opera in it,” Hilton said.
Of course, keep in mind the director of this film is Darren Bousman — who did the last three uber-gory “Saw” flicks.
Even though it’s unclear where Spears could move to ensure more privacy (maybe the moon?), I’m also hearing a couple of real estate agents have been contacted about putting the singer’s Studio City gated mansion up for sale.
“There are so many factors about why she should move. ... If she doesn’t, I think you’ll see a number of her neighbors bailing out,” quipped a Spears staffer.
“The nightly helicopters alone are enough to drive them crazy!”
Courtesy of © 2008, YellowBrix, Inc.
missmarla
8 months ago
8 comments
I agree with queenpita, a STRIKE against ALL BRITNEY MEDIA COVERAGE is a great idea! As a psych nurse, some patients LOVE the attention, and feed into it. I believe she really does shave mental health issues and needs help, but she feeds off this drama at the same time, she NEEDS it! When two people are playing tug-of-war and one drops the rope and walks away, the other peson falls silently. AMERICA NEEDS TO DROP the rope against this!! Give her some space, obviously no one can force her to take meds, ect and we'll see what happens. In the meantime, I urge US to BAN MEDIA AND BRIT!! Lrts dop the rope, starting now!!!
missmarla
8 months ago
8 comments
I agree with queenpita, a STRIKE against ALL BRITNEY MEDIA COVERAGE is a great idea! As a psych nurse, some patients LOVE the attention, and feed into it. I believe she really does shave mental health issues and needs help, but she feeds off this drama at the same time, she NEEDS it! When two people are playing tug-of-war and one drops the rope and walks away, the other peson falls silently. AMERICA NEEDS TO DROP the rope against this!! Give her some space, obviously no one can force her to take meds, ect and we'll see what happens. In the meantime, I urge US to BAN MEDIA AND BRIT!! Lrts dop the rope, starting now!!!
missmarla
8 months ago
8 comments
I agree with queenpita, a STRIKE against ALL BRITNEY MEDIA COVERAGE is a great idea! As a psych nurse, some patients LOVE the attention, and feed into it. I believe she really does shave mental health issues and needs help, but she feeds off this drama at the same time, she NEEDS it! When two people are playing tug-of-war and one drops the rope and walks away, the other peson falls silently. AMERICA NEEDS TO DROP the rope against this!! Give her some space, obviously no one can force her to take meds, ect and we'll see what happens. In the meantime, I urge US to BAN MEDIA AND BRIT!! Lrts dop the rope, starting now!!!
missmarla
8 months ago
8 comments
I agree with queenpita, a STRIKE against ALL BRITNEY MEDIA COVERAGE is a great idea! As a psych nurse, some patients LOVE the attention, and feed into it. I believe she really does shave mental health issues and needs help, but she feeds off this drama at the same time, she NEEDS it! When two people are playing tug-of-war and one drops the rope and walks away, the other peson falls silently. AMERICA NEEDS TO DROP the rope against this!! Give her some space, obviously no one can force her to take meds, ect and we'll see what happens. In the meantime, I urge US to BAN MEDIA AND BRIT!! Lrts dop the rope, starting now!!!
spinenurse
9 months ago
2 comments
As a nurse, I think just the utter fact that other nurses are making comments about their patient, Britney, is a breach in patient confidentiality. Remember HIPPA laws? Nurses everywhere: please keep our mouths shut when it comes to celebrity or high profile patients, they deserve privacy too.
S Kyker RN
tasha18wright
9 months ago
2 comments
That is a shame, they need to just leave her alone and her family just needs to be there and support her and try to make her better.
swash01
9 months ago
2 comments
excuse me, but what about privacy, confidentiality, and HIPPA? Why are these so- called professionals revealing what happened when Brittney or whoever came in? what they said or what their physical exam revealed? I am a professional nurse and discussing a patient is a direct violation of the professional relationship that we are supposed to protect. I am disgusted! (and for those of you who think that I just don't have the opportunity to deal with celebs, we have them in on a semi- regular basis and so what? I treat their issues as I would my other patients) Come on people, let's stop giving these "licensed" posers a voice. I am mad that people are judging me and my nursing on the basis of the unprofessional conduct of others.
Vmarie
9 months ago
2 comments
Unfortunately too many doctors and nurses working in the mental field are poorly trained, underpaid and do not have a comprehension of the illness. I am not saying all have this. There are some very good mental health nurses too. The fact that she was let out deemed and not a danger to herself when clearly she is spinning out of control, just goes to show how deep jealousy and ignorance can run. Just because she's famous does that mean she isn't entitled to get good treatment and get better also. The girl really is having a bad psychotic episode, has no firm grip on relity and the media is covering her every move. Is there any fine line where the media says ok, here is where we back off -or does it continue chasing the celebrity till the person dies and just goes onto the next celebrity story. Not only does it raise questions about mental illness but also someones right to privacy.
KambriaJohnson
9 months ago
178 comments
i personally think alot of it is stemmed from the pressures of the industry, and the frikkin pops standing outside eady to snap at any second just to get a just of her being velnerable- i think some stunts are done on purpose but her manager doping her up and stuff is just taking advantage of her and stabbing her in the news..its insane.. in a way i feel sorry for her.. in a way i dont...and brit being a celeb- we will hear about her and those issues until another celeb has more outrageous encounters or problems than she. also, everyone surrounding her is only enabling her- to be the way she is- brit is a grown woman who has obvious prblems making choices for herself... she needs the help.. it is clear..butyou cant help someone who doesnt want ot help themselves.
p.s. it looks as if the poor dog is being worn on her neck..lol...puppy bling.. real cute dogg though!
queenpita
9 months ago
66 comments
WHAT?!!! I'm sorry; I'm confused. Wasn't there just an article published by Nursinglink.com last week pertaining to Dr. Phil and other doctors commenting on and diagnosing people they 1) never met, 2) have not been treating, and 3) violating HIPPA? Now nurses are joining in?! I thought we were better than that. In addition, the media continues to publish articles about her because society contiues to buy the publications. Perhaps a strike should be inacted; no longer purchase and/or watch any media if it contains ANYTHING about Britney. If you're tired of seeing, stop supporting it. I was doing quite well until I saw this article in the last place I thought I would. This article saddens me greatly. Perhaps we could set the bar just a little higher on nursinglink.com.
fibronurse
9 months ago
2 comments
Sorry but I have bigger fish to fry than worrying about Brittney Spears! HIPPA or not, this attention she's seeking (and getting) is simply outrageous. I mean, really, aren't there more important things going on in our lives than having to see, hear, read, eat, sleep, breathe about Brittney? Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
corisha
9 months ago
2 comments
I just pray that Brittany will give herself time to get well so that she can get back into her kids lives. They need her and all the negative media attention that she gets is not good for her mental health. I think they are a big part of the problem. I think that they have stepped over the line and should back off because this is not a laughing matter, this is a matter of life and possibly death. Only the sickest and low down people can't see that this is not funny. They even chased after her and did not show any concern for her children and that is the sure sign of a stupid individual. People should be more caring and responsible when another human-being is in trouble. I no longer watch shows that start off with "Brittany News", I immediately change the channel. Even Dr. Phil got on the band wagon by runnin his mouth after being trusted into the family circle. I really thought he would do better, but I now know that he is just another television personality trying to increase his ratings and to be a doctor and discuss her personal business is just nasty. I will not support this sight anymore either becasue this is not nursing news. God bless Brittany and her precious little boys to be together again real soon. amen
al_chamizo
9 months ago
236 comments
mvp, I agree that Britney can benefit from a personal religious experiance, but I also believe that she has to be in the right frame of mind, whether is be bipolar or just sad and confused, to understand her spiritual needs. Britney, has done and said things that she needs to be held accountable for. Yes, pray for her enlightenment, but also understand that she is the one whose actions have caused concern for the safety of herself, her children and others around her.
mvp
9 months ago
2 comments
That is so sad about Britney Spears mishaps but i really believe she need to find God right now everything has been gone from her Kevin the so-called husband left her and to make matters worst he get the custody of her kids she is limited in her life that would send someone over the edge especially someone of her status an age. All we can do is pray that she find herself because right now she is so lost and wrap up in kevin. I pray for her instead of labeling her. She is human who got caught up and got lost in bitterness of life. She needs God like yesterday. Pray for her don't ridicule and pass judgement i don;t think she is bipolar she is just confuse and hurt from that jerk treating her like he did.
al_chamizo
9 months ago
236 comments
Patient privacy does not appy to any information that is in print, if Britney wanted to keep her business private, she should have kept her actions, statements and other antics within the confines of her own home. I think that if Britney was a regular citizen she would have been involunteerly taken in and CPS would have taken her children at ther firt epidsode of child endangerment and her outragious public behavior. I believe that Britney has gotten away with much more than the regular person could ever get away with. I think that is what we are all expressing here in one form or another.