Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard about Amanda Bynes’ recent incident where she set a driveway on fire. What is wrong with the celebrity? Is she acting out to get attention, or is there an actual psychological problem with her? We recently published an article with the opinion of an advice columnist on this story. Other experts and insiders have sent us their thoughts about Ms. Bynes’ condition.
Brian Mayes, an entertainment publicist from Nashville Publicity Group, shared this quote with us:
“I think it’s clear that Amanda has some issues. Whether her problems stem from mental illness or drugs and alcohol remains to be seen, but we’ll likely know much more in the coming days now that she is being held for evaluation. Hopefully she can get the help that she needs. Long term, it would be great to see her make a professional comeback. Entertainers like Britney Spears and Demi Lovato have successfully recharged and renewed their careers following similar tabloid-friendly meltdowns. But the most important thing is her health and safety – and sadly, that appears to be in jeopardy at the moment.”
We received another quote from publicist Talia Beckett, who is the managing director of Pink Pearl Public Relations:
“Amanda Bynes claims that her antics are a publicity stunt and I agree, but I think there could be something deeper going on. As a publicist, I’m constantly brainstorming with my clients for out of the box ideas. I’ve worked with a salon that successfully created publicity by blow-drying hair on public transit – the video went viral! The fact that Bynes has taken her antics to an entirely different level, ending up in jail and hurting friends and family speaks volumes. If this is a publicity stunt, it’s a publicity stunt gone wrong! I think she realized how much trouble she has caused and is trying to turn it all into a joke by stating she was simply “getting attention.” Perhaps she is vying for the attention of Britney Spears or Lindsey Lohan since she seems to be following in their footsteps (but on an entirely different out of control level). There is also the question… is that really Amanada Bynes? Did she pull the standard publicity stunt… ‘Hire a famous person look-a-like to do something funny.’”
We also received a quote from Carole Lieberman, M.D., a well-known psychiatrist and expert witness, who has commented on Bynes’ bizarre behavior in the past and her behavior now:
“Amanda has an underlying psychosis which is being exacerbated by her use of drugs (known pot at least) and/or alcohol. She has been an accident waiting to happen. It is unconscionable that her parents didn’t come to NY to get her help, since her selfies and other bizarre behavior have been cries for help. Fortunately, she came home to California, but apparently had to engage in more cries for help here before the authorities (again, not her parents) brought her in for treatment. She has long met the criteria for involuntary hospitalization (5150), but no one had the guts to put her there. Hopefully, she will be kept in the hospital long enough to get help this time.”
Another expert, David M. Reiss, M.D., a San Diego psychiatrist, weighed in with his opinion on what has happened to Amanda Bynes (and how this happens to many other celebrities):
“Too often, desire or demand to return ‘to the spotlight’ and/or pressure from outside sources (producers, PR, fans, media) reinforce the denial and sense of (narcissistic) invulnerability that inherently accompanies celebrity, and this results in inadequate, overly superficial or prematurely terminated evaluation and treatment. Sadly, treatable conditions can turn into ‘train wrecks.’”
Following this story, we’re going to publish another take on Amanda Bynes’ condition, so you can take a look at this from another angle. If Amanda does have psychological issues, hopefully she gets the help she needs to resolve her issues.