There has been some discussion about whether Britney Spears is suffering from some form of postpartum depression. It certainly doesn't seem out of the realm of possibility, given the number of stressors in her life (divorce, paparazzi, two children under the age of 2, growing up in public). She is only 5 months postpartum. I really feel for her and I hope she gets the support she needs and that people BACK OFF and stop making fun of her. It's not funny when you're going through some sort of breakdown as we all know — imagine how much worse it would be to have it drawn out in public. Here's a link to a piece from the Chicago Tribune website: http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/features_julieshealthclub/2007/02/does_britney_ha.html
It amazes me how free people feel to laugh at mental illness. There has been so much collective giggling about the female astronaut Lisa Nowak (who drove across the country in diapers to confront another woman), about Anna Nicole Smith (who seems to have relied on prescription drugs to get through her days), about Britney (who has just shaved her head) … millions tune in gleefully to watch people who are clearly troubled get made fun of on "American Idol". There's nothing funny about it. Everyone has the potential to suffer from a bout of depression or some other illness, and some people fight against it their entire lives. Most get help and live regular lives like the rest of us.
Could we please stop having a laugh fest at the expense of people who are clearly suffering? It's just. not. funny.
I could not agree with you more. A year ago I would have been one of those laughing. Today while still struggling with my own postpartum issues my heart is broken to see these stories and hear the jokes that go along with them. I truly hope that Britney gets the help she so desperately needs. It is not fair that she has to endure the public humiliation.
bless your heart.
It never even crossed my mind that Britney maybe be suffering from PPD, but it makes alot of sense. I hope she has people around her that recongnize it, and can take her to get some help.
It tics me off how free people feel to laugh at mental illness. I work with adults who have MR/DD and some of the things that go on in the community make me sick. *sigh*
My first thought after her shaving her head was postpartum psychosis. And you're absolutely right, it's NOT funny. As a woman with bipolar 2 disorder I really had to be sure I kept a close watch on myself to avoid any of the same symptoms and I check in with my doctor frequently. PPD is no laughing matter. People are absolutely ignorant.