- Recently, actor Amanda Bynes was placed on psychiatric hold for roaming naked and alone in public.
- Her hospitalization has raised questions about the physical and mental well-being of child stars in Hollywood.
In the late 1990s and the 2000s, American actress Amanda Bynes was the ultimate Hollywood “It Girl”, having starred in a string of successful romantic comedies like “What a Girl Wants” (2003), “She’s the Man” (2006), “Hairspray” (2007), and “Easy A” (2010).
However, in the 2010s, she decided to take a hiatus from her promising acting career. Soon after, her troubles started.
Amanda Bynes Mental Health Struggles
Post-retirement, Bynes was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and substance abuse disorder. She also ran into several legal issues. She was charged twice for driving under influence around Hollywood.
She was convicted of reckless endangerment, marijuana possession, and arson. A long list of failed relationships and negative media coverage also took a toll.
After Amanda Bynes drug abuse made headlines, she was hospitalized several times. In 2013, she was placed in a conservatorship with her mother taking over her affairs.
During her conservatorship, she accused her parents of emotional and sexual abuse in multiple resentful tweets; she later apologized for the same. In the last decade, she has been diagnosed with psychosis and abuse of cocaine, MDMA, and ADHD prescription medication.
Why Amanda Bynes Was Placed On Psychiatric Hold
In March 2023, Amanda Bynes was found roaming the streets, naked and alone, in Los Angeles. Following a psychotic episode, she had flagged a bystander for help and called 911 on herself for help.
She was taken to a police station where mental health professionals determined she needed to be hospitalized. Consequently, she was placed on a 72-hour psychiatric hold.
Hollywood’s Child Stars And Mental Health
Amanda Bynes hospitalization raises concern about the decline and plight of child actors in Hollywood. In the industry, the experience of being a child star in Hollywood can be both rewarding and challenging.
They are often thrust into the spotlight at a very young age, and they may not have the emotional or mental maturity to handle the stress and pressure that comes with fame. They are expected to be professional, maintain a positive image, and deliver performances that meet high expectations.
The pressure to succeed, as a child star and transitioning older actor, can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. In fact, like Bynes, child stars who grew up in the public eye like “Harry Potter” star Daniel Radcliffe, singer Britney Spears, and Macaulay Culkin of “Home Alone” have all come out with mental health struggles and attachment issues.
In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the challenges that child stars face, with the entertainment industry prioritizing their well-being. Some studios and production companies have implemented policies to ensure that child actors receive education and counseling services on set.
Additionally, mental health organizations have been working to raise awareness of the mental health challenges faced by child stars and to provide them with the resources and support they need to thrive both professionally and personally.
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