Why Britney Spears Was Released Early

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

Britney Spears was released early from UCLA Medical Center's psych ward because a court representative found "no just cause" for the hold, a source tells PEOPLE.

The doctor overseeing Spears's care had wanted her to stay, (as did her parents), but the decision was overridden by the court representative, the source said.

The source said that the doctor who was vetoed was not Spears's psychiatrist Dr. Deborah Nadel, but another attending doctor at UCLA. Once Nadel issued the singer's 72-hour hold at UCLA, Nadel was not involved in Spears's hospitalization, the source said.

The decision followed regular procedure for any patient on a 14-day hold.

The procedure calls for a hearing at the hospital to find out whether the hold is justified. The rep for the court, called a "hearing referee" – who is usually a lawyer – interviews the patient and doctor to determine if there's "just cause" for detainment.

"This is when law and medicine collide," says attorney Terry K. Wasserman, who's not involved in the Spears matter, "when a lawyer can override a doctor's opinion."

Source: People

Why Britney Spears Was Released Early

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

Britney Spears was released early from UCLA Medical Center's psych ward because a court representative found "no just cause" for the hold, a source tells PEOPLE.

The doctor overseeing Spears's care had wanted her to stay, (as did her parents), but the decision was overridden by the court representative, the source said.

The source said that the doctor who was vetoed was not Spears's psychiatrist Dr. Deborah Nadel, but another attending doctor at UCLA. Once Nadel issued the singer's 72-hour hold at UCLA, Nadel was not involved in Spears's hospitalization, the source said.

The decision followed regular procedure for any patient on a 14-day hold.

The procedure calls for a hearing at the hospital to find out whether the hold is justified. The rep for the court, called a "hearing referee" – who is usually a lawyer – interviews the patient and doctor to determine if there's "just cause" for detainment.

"This is when law and medicine collide," says attorney Terry K. Wasserman, who's not involved in the Spears matter, "when a lawyer can override a doctor's opinion."

Source: People

UPDATE: Britney Spears Released From UCLA Psych Ward

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

Britney Spears has been discharged from the psych ward at UCLA Medical Center, a source confirms to PEOPLE.

The Los Angeles Times reports that Spears left the hospital without fanfare Wednesday, with the help of a private security detail.

But as word spread, her release sparked a media frenzy. Åfter she was spotted driving away from her Studio City house, news helicopters and cars with photographers began following her as she drove through Beverly Hills.

Spears was taken by ambulance to the hospital on Jan. 31 and was initially held under a 72-hour psychiatric hold. Under the treatment of her psychiatrist, Dr. Deborah Nadel, Spears's stay was extended to a 14-day hold on Sunday.

Only Dr. Nadel would've had the authority to deem the singer well enough to be released, legal experts say.

It's unclear whether the singer will continue with outpatient treatment. Spears's dad Jamie was granted temporary control over his daughter's affairs on Friday (though it did not include control of her psychiatric treatment).

His conservatorship was extended this week to Feb. 14 – following a battle in court over who's best suited to look after the troubled pop star. More court documents were released Tuesday, revealing Jamie Spears's conversations with Britney in the hospital.

The release of the 26-year-old singer also comes after Spears's mother, Lynne Spears, successfully obtained a restraining order against her daughter's self-described friend and manager Sam Lutfi.

The order forbids Lutfi from getting within 250 yards of Britney, her homes, her family's homes and the hospital where she's staying.

In her court documents, Lynne Spears, describing the chaotic scene at her daughter's house when she arrived Jan. 28 for an intervention, claimed, "Mr. Lutfi has drugged Britney. He has cut Britney's home phone line and removed her cell phone chargers. He claims to control everything

Source: People

Report: Britney Released From Psych Ward

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

Britney Spears has been discharged from the psych ward at UCLA Medical Center, the Los Angeles Times is reporting.

The newspaper reports that Spears left without fanfare Wednesday, but with the help of a private security detail. Her destination after release was not known, but it was reported she could be headed to one of her residences before she seeks out further treatment.

Spears was taken by ambulance to the hospital on Jan. 31 and was initially held under a 72-hour psychiatric hold. Under the treatment of her psychiatrist, Dr. Deborah Nadel, Spears's stay was extended to a 14-day hold on Sunday.

Only Dr. Nadel would've had the authority to deem the singer well enough to be released, legal experts say.

It's unclear whether the singer will continue with outpatient treatment.

Spears's dad Jamie was granted temporary control over his daughter's affairs on Friday (though it did not include control of her psychiatric treatment). His conservatorship was extended this week to Feb. 14 – following a battle in court over who's best suited to look after the troubled pop star. More court documents were released Tuesday, revealing Jamie Spears's conversations with Britney in the hospital.

The release of the 26-year-old singer also comes after Spears's mother, Lynne Spears, successfully obtained a restraining order against her daughter's self-described friend and manager Sam Lutfi.

The order forbids Lutfi from getting within 250 yards of Britney, her homes, her family's homes and the hospital where she's staying.

In her court documents, Lynne Spears, describing the chaotic scene at her daughter's house when she arrived Jan. 28 for an intervention, claimed, "Mr. Lutfi has drugged Britney. He has cut Britney's home phone line and removed her cell phone chargers. He claims to control everything."

Source: People

Britney Treated By 'Caring, Concerned' Therapist

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

The psychiatrist who hospitalized Britney Spears is a highly respected therapist known for her compassion, a former colleague tells PEOPLE.

"She's an excellent clinician and an excellent psychiatrist," says Harold Young, the clinical director at the Maple Counseling Center in Beverly Hills, where Spears's psychiatrist Dr. Deborah Nadel worked for about five years.

Board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Nadel graduated from University of California Medical School in San Francisco 18 years ago, and she did her residency at UCLA, records show.

Nadel, who has recently started treating the troubled pop star, had instigated Spears's second hospitalization in January, this time at UCLA Medical Center's psychiatric ward, for a 72-hour evaluation, sources tell PEOPLE.

Spears chose Nadel from a list of doctors recommended by her lawyers, a source says.

Young, who worked with Nadel about 12 years ago at the center – a non-profit agency that provides low-cost counseling to people in need – said Nadel is now on the staff at UCLA and is "well thought of in the therapeutic community."

"I think [Britney] is in somebody's hands who will be caring, concerned, compassionate and respectful," says Young.

Source: People

Britney’s Gun-Toting Guards

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

Britney Spears and loaded weapons are the last two things you’d want to be combined right now but luckily the pop stars proximity to half a dozen pistols is not as scary as it sounds because the firearms are being toted by the security team guarding her seventh floor hospital room in UCLA’s psychiatric unit.

Britney, who spent the majority of her first day in isolation at UCLA's psychiatric unit, entered the facility yesterday under orders from her psychiatrist Dr. Deborah Nadel. The "Toxic" hit-maker was being assessed by the medical team to try and ascertain which drugs she has been taking and what medications she requires to stabilize her bi-polar disorder.

"The first day is always tough but the medical staff will have to fully assess her condition but she is in a good unit, an insider revealed. "Her room will be comfortable but basic. There may be no television, telephone or radio, so that she can rest. But she will be being monitored at all times.”

However one thing that employees can’t remove from Britney’s room is her family. Both Lynne and Jamie Spears were seen leaving the hospital shortly after 10 am yesterday but the insider says, “although nothing is done to stop family members from visiting this is usually not recommended at this stage in case of any undue stress."

Staff at the psych unit have been told to be 'very wary' of any intrusions. After the initial 72 hours of assessment and treatments doctors will decide what further treatments she will require.

Source: Page Six

Britney's Therapist -- A Real Pro, Finally

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

The woman treating Britney Spears is -- thankfully -- being praised by her colleagues for her compassion and her credentials.

Dr. Deborah Nadel is "an excellent clinician and an excellent psychiatrist," says Harold Young, Clinical Director at the Maple Counseling Center in Beverly Hills, to People.

Board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Nadel graduated from University of California Medical School in San Francisco 18 years ago, and she did her residency at UCLA, records show.

Source: TMZ