Britney: Seven Months Without Sex!

Her meds --- and her dad's presence --- are making Britney Spears behave.

Once a week, Britney Spears drives to The Ritz-Carlton in Marina del Rey and indulges in her new favorite activity working out. "While she was running on the treadmill, she was joking about how she doesn't have a man," says a witness at the hotel's gym. The singer recently confided to a pal, "I lost my mojo," and hasn't been intimate with anyone in seven months.

Since Britney's father, Jamie, moved in with her in February when he took control of her life, it's been difficult for her to date. "How do you make out with a guy while your dad watches?" Britney joked to another friend.

Even though Britney regularly texts ex-boyfriend Adnan Ghalib --- and he sometimes sneaks over to her house for nighttime swims --- the photographer's visits been strictly platonic. "There's no way that Jamie would allow Adnan and Britney to be alone," an insider reveals.

Aside from Jamie's strict rules, the medication the 26-year-old has been taking to combat what is believed to be bipolar disorder appears to have put a dent in her sex drive.

"She is on a powerful regimen of prescription drugs," the insider shares. "One of the side effects seems to me lack of sexual interest."

She wants to find true love

A tame love life is a huge change for Britney, who once boasted about having sex three times in a day when she was still married to her now ex-husband.

Kevin Federline and has romanced a string of men since she filed for divorce in 2006. But celebrity rehab therapist Dr.Drew Pinsky, who does not treat Britney, says outrageous sexual behavior could have been a symptom of her illness. "With bipolar, you become hypersexual," Dr.Drew tells In Touch. "Before Britney began treatment, sleeping around with different men could have been the result of the manic state she was in."

Dr.Drew sees Britney's celibate lifestyle as a positive step toward her getting healthier. "I am seeing the results of good psychiatry and good parenting," he says.

Abstinent or not, Britney would still like to have a man in her life. "Right now, Britney isn't looking for a lover, She's looking for a boyfriend," her pal shares. "She really wants a guy that she can cuddle with."

Source: In Touch Weekly

Britney Spears & Kevin Federline Did Not Go on Hawaii Trip

The following italicized article is from www.usmagazine.com:

Britney Spears and Kevin Federline aren’t headed to Hawaii.

The new issue of Star claims that after spending Easter weekend together, the exes are planning a trip to Maui “far from the glare of Hollywood to work on their relationship.” The tabloid quoted a source as saying that Federline “wants to take Britney away to see if there is anything to salvage between them.”

But a rep for the rapper, 30, tells Usmagazine.com the story is "not true."

The tabloid's cover — which boasts the line “Brit & Kevin’s Secret Weekend” — shows a photo of the two happily vacationing. Turns out, the picture is from their 2005 honeymoon in in Fiji.

Federline, however, wouldn’t mind being on better terms with his ex, with whom he has two sons, Sean, 2, and Jayden, 19 months.

“He really loves her and holds a candle for her,” a Federline source recently told Us Weekly.

For more on how Spears is coping with her bipolar disorder and trying to rebuild a bond with her boys, pick up the new issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now.

Source: US Weekly

“He really loves her and holds a candle for her,”??!! I am going to be sick!

Police Considering Investigation Into Britney Spears Drugging

The following italicized article is taken from www.usmagazine.com:

Los Angeles Police released a statement yesterday, saying they are looking into allegations that Britney Spears was drugged.

Police Capt. Kyle Jackon said "particular suspects have not yet been fully identified ... at this time we don't know whether or not a formal investigation will be initiated."

LAPD Officer Jason Lee told Usmagazine.com earlier this month, "We are not investigating Sam Lutfi."

In a six-page declaration (released last month), Lynne Spears had accused Lutfi of grinding up Risperdal, a sleeping medication, and Seroquel, an anti-psychotic drug prescribed to treat bipolar disorder, and giving them to the pop singer.

Lutfi himself admitted in an Us Weekly cover story that he had given Britney "a handful of pills" to help her sleep. Britney, Lutfi told Us, agreed that the meds were helping her sleep.

Source: US Weekly

Alli Sims on Britney Spears: "Everyone Goes Through Weird Patches"

The following italicized article is taken from www.usmagazine.com:

Alli Sims says she is still talking to cousin Britney Spears.

"I cannot really say much more about [her], but she is doing well," Sims told Usmagazine.com at the Montblanc Oscar Brunch at Casey Johnson's Villa in Beverly Hills last night.

Spears has been involuntarily hospitalized twice to treat her bipolar disorder. She is currently under the supervision of her parents (her father was granted legal, financial, and medical control of her life) and hasn't seen her two sons since January 3.

"Everybody just keeps supporting her and rooting [for] her because everyone kind of goes through weird little patches in [their] life," Sims told Us.

"You just need friends and family and everyone to support you and help you through it, and everything will be okay."

Sims, who is working on her first album, says she and Spears "will definitely collaborate on something."

"I think we are kind of both open to anything," Sims said. "We are really good friends, we are really close, and we really love working on stuff together, so I think that possibly something like that could happen."

Sims lived with Spears for eight months last year and previously told Us, "I wish people would give her a break and lay off her."

Source: US Weekly

A Bipolar Mom Offers Insight Into Britney Spears' Struggle

The following italicized article is taken from www.usmagazine.com:

As Britney Spears receives treatment for bipolar disorder and struggles to regain custody of her newest issue of two sons, Us Weekly spoke to a young mother afflicted with the same mental illness to offer insight into the singer's life.

“Carol” (not her real name) was a wild, uncontrollable 18-year-old when she became a mother. But after some manic episodes (including joyriding with her infant son in a car), she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Carol soon decided to give up her baby, then 18 months, to family friends for adoption.

Now 28, the Idaho resident — who says she’s doing “really well” and still has contact with her nine-year-old boy — tells Us her story:

Read it all here!

Source: US Magazine

'Britney Spears Suffers From Memory Loss'

The following italicized article is taken from www.entertainmentwise.com:

According to sources the troubled-singer appeared to have no recollection of her November 2007 shoot, where she took over the Social club for the highly-publicized ten-hour long shoot.

A source tells Hollyscoop.com that Spears- who returned to the club for a late night dinner over the weekend - struck up a conversation with a confused general manager of the restaurant, asking, "How long have you been open?" and "what was upstairs", where she filmed the video.

The 26-year-old further confused the situation by telling staff that the venue "Was beautiful" before residing to the bar where she reportedly “chain smoked” for the majority of the evening.

The insider concludes that the Gimme More singer – who was hospitalized for severe bipolar disorder earlier this month – refused to touch her food and went to the bathroom every fifteen minutes before heading home.

Source: Entertainment Wise

Britney Could See Youngins Soon

The following italicized article is taken from www.tmz.com:

TMZ has learned lawyers at today's custody hearing are hashing out a plan so Britney can see her babies again. But there's a snag.

We're told both sides are in agreement -- Britney should get visitation rights in a therapeutic setting. But sources say the lawyers are meeting right now and can't agree on the terms.

We know K-Fed wants Brit to have visitation back. In all probability, a psychiatrist will supervise visitation. TMZ has reported that people involved in the conservatorship would also like to find a private facility where Brit can receive treatment for her bipolar disorder.

Brit hasn't seen her kids for a month and a half.

Will the attorneys reach an agreement today?

Stay tuned ...

Source: TMZ

Danielle Steel Talks About Britney's Situation

The following italicized article is taken from www.theinsideronline.com:

In a rare interview, New York Times best-selling author DANIELLE STEEL comments on BRITNEY SPEARS' situation telling Reuters, "I feel so sorry for her."

Steel speaks from experience. Her son NICK was diagnosed at the age of 16 with bipolar disorder and committed suicide more than a decade ago at the age of 19.

"Usually bipolars present extremely well and they can bounce into court ... look very together and be a complete mess three hours later on the streets somewhere," she told Reuters at an event for the 10th anniversary of the creation of the Nick Traina Foundation. "There's nothing you can do."

In echoing the recent and widespread speculation regarding Britney, Steel suggests that her problems, "illustrate the drama and dilemma of the family of mentally ill people in this country -- it's a very, very tough thing."

But she says there is hope for the troubled pop star and her family. "If it is the case (that she has bipolar), she can get on track with the right treatment and medication," she says. "In the case of Britney Spears' parents what you have to be is extremely loving, extremely resourceful and extremely persistent and every time you're defeated, just go at the problem again."

Source: The Insider Online

Jamie Spears Granted Change In Conservatorship Over Britney

The following italicized article is taken from www.usmagazine.com:

Britney Spears' father and coconservator, Jamie, was granted a change in the rules concerning his decision-making power over her medical, financial, and legal matters, a LA Superior Court judge decided Thursday afternoon.

Attorneys for both sides met with the judge behind closed doors. It is unclear what was decided or discussed.

Jamie and attorney Andrew Wallet were named co-conservators of Britney's legal, medical, and financial decisions on Friday.

The court's decision to put them in charge was the worst-case scenario for Britney, sources told Us, as she has never been close to her father (who battled alcohol abuse during her childhood and was verbally abusive).

Neither Britney nor her father, Jamie, was in attendance at today's court hearing. Jamie's attorneys, Vivian Lee and Jeryll Cohen, were arguing for him, while Samuel Ingham, a court-appointed counsel, represented Britney. Wallet was also in court.

Britney was released from the UCLA Medical Center yesterday after a week of treatment. She had been expected to remain hospitalized for another 10 days.

The singer was involuntarily committed to treatment for bipolar disorder on January 31.

Source: US Weekly

Report: Britney Spears Released From UCLA

The following italicized article is taken from www.usmagazine.com:

Britney Spears was released after a week of treatment at the UCLA Medical Center, the Los Angeles Times reported.

A private security detail escorted Spears from the hospital around noon today, the paper reported.

Sources told the paper she could be heading to one of her homes before getting further treatment for her bipolar disorder.

A law enforcement source told TMZ.com that UCLA released her "because she was no longer required to stay there after 11:30 AM" and that she was no longer deemed a threat to herself or others.

Spears was involuntarily committed to treatment on January 31 and was expected to remain hospitalized for another 10 days.

Since her hospitalization, her father, Jamie, was named as her coconservator, enabling him to make decisions about her medical treatment and her estate.

Source: US Weekly

EXCLUSIVE: Sam Lutfi Admits He Gave Britney Spears "A Handful Of Pills"

The following italicized article is taken from www.usmagazine.com:

Sam Lutfi, who is now on the receiving end of a restraining order imposed by Britney Spears' parents, was the one person by her side as she unraveled over the past six months.

In the latest issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now, Spears' de facto manager and confidant opens up about her bipolar disorder, how he medicated her, what happened the night she was hospitalized, and how her parents reacted.

"In the depressive episodes, it's all crying," Lutfi tells Us. "But in the manic episode, there's very little crying or sympathy or compassion. She becomes another person. She becomes somebody that just doesn't care about anybody or anything."

"The British accent is part of the mania," he adds. "She'll stick to the British accent because she becomes comfortable with it... But you know, when the pink wig comes on, it's getting bad."

Lutfi says that when Spears was involuntarily committed to treatment at UCLA Medical Center on January 31, her mom, Lynne Spears, arrived and tried to remove her daughter from his guidance. "Well, he is better family than you guys will ever be," Spears responded, according to Lutfi.

Lutfi tells Us that he gave Britney "a handful of pills" before her parents arrived. "I said these pills are working wonders, they are miracle pills," he recalls. Spears, Lutfi says, agreed that the meds were helping her sleep.

(In their restraining order against Lutfi filed yesterday, Spears' parents accuse him of drugging their daughter and being verbally abusive. Jamie, who has been named as his daughter's conservator, "is doing what he has to do to save Britney," a source tells Us.)

Spears is one of nearly six million American adults suffering from bipolar disorder, a mental illness consisting of extreme shifts in mood, thought, energy, and behavior patterns.

Lutfi, 33, tells Us only he, Spears, and her psychiatrist know what brought on her bipolar disorder "roughly five years ago."

When the ambulance arrived to take Spears, "she was very quiet," Lutfi tells Us.

"When I told her, she wrote me a note and put a big heart on it and it said, 'I love you, Sam. Are there people coming? Circle yes or no,'" Lutfi recalls. "Oh, my God, it was funny, just the cutest little thing. I circled yes and I gave it back to her, and she looked at me and she's like, 'Oh, lord, here we go again.'"

Attorneys are fighting on Spears' behalf to take conservatorship away from Jamie. Having Jamie in control of her estate and medical decisions is a worst-case scenario for Spears, sources tell Us.

Check out the latest issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now, for a complete portrait of Spears' life at UCLA and more from Lutfi.

Source: US Weekly

Britney To Stay In Hospital For 14 Days

The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:

It's not a done deal, but expect that sometime tonight, papers will be signed at UCLA extending Britney Spears' stay at the psych ward -- by 14 days.

It's an internal process -- done without a court order. But we're told it will indeed happen, and that's not surprising given her mental health. As we first reported, Britney's been diagnosed with severe bipolar disorder.

The ward Britney is in is considered one of the best in the nation for the treatment she is receiving.

Source: TMZ

Will Britney's Hospitalization Help This Time?

The following italicized article is from www.people.com:

Britney Spears's latest hospitalization could finally give her the help she needs – if she's more willing to accept treatment this time around, experts tell PEOPLE.

Unlike her dramatic Jan. 3 hospitalization – in which a wild-eyed Spears was captured on camera being hauled away – her current hospital stay had been planned in advance, sources say, and did not involve her children.

What's more, sources say Spears was more receptive to treatment this time, which experts call a promising sign.

Other key differences between then and now:

Her Psychiatrist Gave the Order

Once again, Spears was committed using California's 5150 emergency hold, but this time, a source says, it was her psychiatrist – Santa Monica-based Dr. Deborah Nadel, who is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology – not police, who issued the order.

"This means it might be a more favorable outcome," says Dr. Diana Kirschner, a New York City psychologist who has not treated Spears. With mental illness such as bipolar disorder – which two sources tell PEOPLE Spears has been diagnosed with – patients "have to make a connection [with a mental health professional] to move forward," says Kirschner. "There is a way you can bond with a client even though you are slapping them with something like [the 5150]."

Although pal Sam Lutfi told PEOPLE that Spears entered the hospital "willingly," Dr. Mark Goulston, a Santa Monica psychiatrist, points out that the 5150 is by necessity "an involuntary hold. ... It may be that she went in willingly, [but] her mental state was seen to be so volatile that whomever evaluated her didn't trust it would change."

Her Severe Lack of Sleep

Sleeplessness – friends say Spears hadn't slept since Saturday – "is a cardinal symptom of bipolar disorder," says Dr. Goulston, who has not treated Spears. "Not sleeping for three days could interfere with all of us functioning at a reasonable level. In someone who has bipolar disorder, sleep deprivation can trigger a full-blown episode. One of the things they will want to do in the hospital is get her to sleep. The question is: When she wakes up, will she be sane enough to leave, and then not accept treatment? That will be the challenge."

Possibility of Longer Hospitalization

Although the 5150 typically involves a 72-hour hospitalization for treatment and evaluation, when she was last hospitalized Spears left Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after just two nights. Currently, "[Nadel] has the power to decide whether Spears can be released in that time frame or not," says a veteran L.A. psychiatric social worker. "However, [Nadel] is only one opinion. Within the three-day hold, patients-rights workers from the L.A. County Department of Mental Health will interview Spears and review her charts to determine whether the hold is legally justified." After 72 hours, "[Nadel] can request a 14-additional-day hold called a 5250."

Medication

Although Spears is more likely to comply with medical orders in a hospital setting, forcing her to take medication can still be challenging. "If she refuses to take meds that a doctor determines she needs, [Nadel] can request a court to grant that power – but that's a lengthy process that won't happen in just 72 hours," says the social worker. "I've seen patients housed for 40 days with not a single pill given."

Family Involvement

Although her dad Jamie visited Britney in the hospital during her Jan. 3 hospitalization, her mom Lynne remained in Kentwood. This time, Lynne has been present throughout the crisis. Still, "during a 5150 hold, a patient's family has no power unless the patient is a minor," says the social worker. "This is because, in part, family involvement could create further conflict. Even visitation can't be granted to family unless the patient asks for it in writing."

Says Dr. Kirschner: "The fact that the person's family is around them is generally favorable." Given the fact that she was hospitalized a second time under a 5150, "she was probably increasingly worrying people who were worried for her well-being," says Dr. Goulston. "If she's driving and she's actively bipolar she is a danger to herself. The question is: How many of these will it take to stick and for Britney to be willing to get help?"

Source: People

Britney Going Through Detox

The following italicized article is from www.pagesix.com:

Sources tell PageSix.com that Britney Spears is currently going through a detox process at the UCLA Medical Center. Doctors will stabilize her and evaluate her condition before she can be administered new medication to treat her suspected bipolar condition.

Detoxification is necessary for doctors to rid the patient’s system of other drugs so that they can be properly diagnosed and prescribed a course of treatment.

“It’s often helpful to clear the decks under medical supervision and get back to the drawing board and decide, ‘What have we been dealing with here?’” Dr. Keith Ablow, a psychiatrist who has not treated the pop star, tells PageSix.com.

Detox is especially helpful in cases where the patient may have been misdiagnosed and administered medication that might have exacerbated or altered the person’s symptoms.

“You have lots of people who have manic symptoms of bipolar disorder wrongly diagnosed with attention deficit disorder,” says Dr. Ablow, author of Living the Truth. “But if you put those people on stimulant medication, you can make them worse by driving them into the highest highs of their disorder.”

Britney was checked into the hospital late last night and placed on 72-hour psychiatric hold, or what is known as a 5150. So what can the singer expect over the coming days? During detoxification, the patient is slowly tapered off the medicine, with dosages being reduced over time. Doctors also sometimes use other medicines to temporarily blunt the symptoms of any withdrawal that might occur.

Dr. Ablow says it’s also helpful to have patients checked into the hospital for several days so doctors can monitor the effect of the medications over time and figure out whether more medications need to be added and in what dosage.

“Only a minority of patients achieve effective results from one mood stabilizer if they’re suffering from bipolar disorder. Many need two or three,” says Dr. Ablow, who added that mood stabilizers only work in a particular concentration in the blood that varies from person to person.

“And that takes time to figure out,” he says.

Source: Page Six

EXCLUSIVE: Hospital Treating Britney Spears Specializes In Bipolar Disorder

The following italicized article is from www.usmagazine.com:

Britney Spears' inner circle, including her estranged mother Lynne, chose to admit her to the UCLA Medical Center because of its experience with treating bipolar disorder, a source tells Usmagazine.com.

"Her lawyers and doctors have been working with UCLA," the source tells Us. "They were ready and had everything in place."

The facility, the source says, is better prepared to treat the troubled singer than L.A.'s Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she was hospitalized for less than 48 hours earlier this month.

"When she went to Cedars they weren't ready for her," the source says.

"They have a much stricter unit at UCLA and treat bipolar cases regularly," the source adds. "This is a serious unit she's on."

(It was reported that singer Mariah Carey was treated at the same facility in 2001 following her highly publicized emotional breakdown.)

Before the intervention, Us reported that Spears hadn't slept since Saturday — a sign of suffering from bipolar disorder, says one expert.

"You can go all night without sleeping," psychiatrist Pauline Wallin tells Us.

Another sign: Spears has extreme highs (known as manic episodes) followed by intense lows (this past Monday, she sobbed on a curbside after a fight with pal Sam Lutfi).

"Her pattern of behavior indicates that she doesn’t have a lot of self-control when she gets upset," Wallin says. (Read what other experts had to say about her state here.)

For now, Spears is at UCLA under a "mental health evaluation hold" – commonly known as a "5150" – meaning she can be held there for up to 72 hours if a medical professional deems her a danger to herself or others.

After the 72-hour treatment, her family can seek a 14-day extended evaluation or patients can decide to seek further treatment, according to ABC News, citing the California Department of Mental Health.

"Because it was planned there's a much higher likelihood they'll be able to extend her stay beyond the 5150," the source tells Us.

Source: US Weekly

Britney About to Be Temporarily Committed

The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:

Sources tell TMZ Britney's psychiatrist visited her tonight -- as we first reported, she is under the daily care of a shrink who is giving her medicine for a bipolar disorder. The shrink was alarmed at her reckless driving and her conduct and has decided Brit needs to be hospitalized on another 5150 hold, meaning she is a danger to herself and others.

He has called for police who are en route. No one has entered the house yet.

Contrary to an online report, Britney has not tried to kill herself.

We're told Lynne Spears is at the house and is upset with the shrink. Sam Lutfi is in favor of the 5150, given Britney's mental state.

Britney is basically non-responsive about the whole thing -- out of it.

UPDATE: Alli Sims just arrived. We're told there is "extreme tension inside the house" between Sam Lutfi and members of Spears' family.

Story developing ...

Source: TMZ

Britney Being Treated For Her Disease

The following italicized article is taken from www.tmz.com:

If you think Britney Spears doesn't give a crap about getting help for her condition, think again.

Multiple sources tell TMZ Britney has seen numerous doctors. We know that she's seen a new psychiatrist who has come to her home every day this week and that she's on medication to treat her bipolar disease. We also know doctors have indeed concluded she suffers from bipolarity.

Britney has seen doctors who have been referred by other doctors, plus doctors who have been referred by celebrities Britney knows, and doctors referred by her lawyers, family and friends. We're told the process has been excruciating for her, partly because her disease is severe.

Sources tell slightly different stories about the efficacy of the medication. A friend says when Britney takes her medicine she is like "a different person -- normal and sweet." But she takes her meds for a while and then feels as if she can live without it -- so she stops taking them -- and her condition quickly deteriorates. But a professional tells TMZ flatly, "The medication just isn't working."

That same professional tells TMZ, "She's really trying. Whether it works -- we'll have to see." That person also says it's extremely frustrating when the media shows video of Britney out on the town acting crazy, adding, "She has a disease. Sometimes when you see her she's in the middle of an episode. It's like mocking someone with Down syndrome."

Source: TMZ

Britney's Bipolar Treatment Plan

The following italicized article is taken from www.tmz.com:

TMZ has learned the general nature of the medical intervention for Britney Spears.

As we first reported, Britney is suffering from some sort of bipolar disorder. For months, Commissioner Scott Gordon has repeatedly ordered her to undergo psychological tests, but she has not complied.

Brit's divorce lawyers have devised a plan to get Brit into treatment. Sources now say it's outpatient treatment that would allow professionals to "evaluate and treat" her condition.

We're told Britney is "receptive" to the idea, but it's not a done deal. If it happens, the process will start imminently.

Source: TMZ

Brit's Lawyers To Commish -- We Have A Plan...

The following italicized article is taken from www.tmz.com:

TMZ has learned Brit's lawyers did exactly what we told you they would do -- they asked Commissioner Scott Gordon today for visitation in a therapeutic setting, but it went over like a lead balloon.

As we first reported, Britney's lawyers know they're up against it -- their client has some sort of bipolar disorder but has refused to commit herself to a mental hospital for evaluation and treatment. She cannot be involuntarily committed. So, her lawyers and family have devised a "creative way" of treating Brit, and they wanted the Commish to let her visit the kids while she undergoes treatment.

We're told Commish Gordon was unmoved, especially since he has repeatedly ordered Brit to undergo a court-ordered psych evaluation, but she has refused.

We're also told Brit's lawyers said this "creative" treatment has not yet commenced.

Source: TMZ