Helping or enabling

      The last few days events have revealed that previous methods of handling the problems that Britney Spears is having are not working.  So, it was almost a relief to hear that someone was taking formal action to get to the bottom of the issues.  That relief was short lived.

      Evidently, California law says that in a situation where children are involved in a domestic situation (where the authorities feel that the adult involved could harm themselves or others) the person must be admitted for observation for 72-hours; according to the news reports.

      Today, a few hours ago, Britney was released.  I know that my math is not great, however, the original incident happened late Thursday evening and she was released today, Saturday.  Matter of a fact…it could hardly have been more than 48hours.  Isn’t anyone concerned that she could endanger herself?  Or are there people who look for the newest disaster just to have something to splash over the air waves?

       Is it celebrity special rules again…or is someone trying to “help” her by enabling her to continue down this road to destruction?  Truly, what type of cry for help does a celebrity need to do to get a true and deep evaluation?  Is anyone really concerned about her well-being?

       Obviously, none of us really know what happened in the “incident” where she allegedly held her infant son “hostage”…nor, have any of us been a fly on the wall during her observation.  However, the media has reported that there was no longer any need for her continued lock-down; no details yet of course. 

       Yesterday her visitation rights were suspended and sole physical custody were handed over to her ex-husband.  Where does it go from here?

      It has been reported that Dr. Phil was with her at the hospital.  Hours after being released…she attempts to drive away from her home only to be surrounded by camera crews blocking her way.  She drove back home. 

       It is like a feeding frenzy in a piranha tank.  She has to be aware that going out in public so soon after her hospitalization could only result in more media attention.  Is she addicted to the media attention; or, is it sadder than that…has she no where else to go?  Is it so very lonely at home?

        What if it was your sister, daughter, wife, mother going through this?  A lot of families do go through it daily…yet…thankfully, most of them don’t have to do it in the eye of the media.  Britney’s family has to feel very helpless during this horrible time. 

       They say that a person can only go through so many life changes in a short period of time before it starts to affect them physically and emotionally. 

       This young lady has been married, divorced (twice), moved, estranged from her family members, discovered she is going to be an aunt by her teen-aged sister, had a poor career comeback, given birth twice herself, had legal lawsuits brought against her, dabbled with the partying lifestyle of the rich and famous, fired formerly trusted business personnel, been a media darling, been dogged by the media,photographed without underthings on and splashed all over the media, sued for custody of her children and dumped by her legal representatives( because of the difficulty in communicating/representing her).  Is there any doubt that some serious re-evaluation of her priorities needs to take place?

       Would it have made more sense to keep her hospitalized for the full 72 hours; and, start helping her and her family to deal with the issues that seem to be controlling her behaviors?

        It is always hard not knowing all of the facts; but, helping and enabling someone are two closely related subjects.  When you are in the midst of a crisis with someone you love, it is hard to have clear vision on what decisions are going to hurt or help that person.  This is where the health professionals and legal authorities are going to have to intervene. 

        As a member of the public who can’t help but observe all that is happening regarding this family…you feel bad for watching the suffering and yet, what happens here is too important to ignore.  This might be a famous family going through it…but for each famous family’s difficulties there are untold numbers of families in our country going through the same types of situations. 

       Let’s pray that things are accomplished quickly before someone is destroyed in the process.  Let’s hope that Britney realizes that she wants and needs help; if for no other reason, than for her children’s well being, if not her own.