Former child star Amanda Bynes has been making headlines for years due to her troubling behavior. Recently, the actress was applauded for recognizing she needed help during a “psychotic episode.”
Amanda’s Early Success
In 1996, Amanda shot to fame at the age of 10 when she landed a role in the Nickelodeon series, All That. Three years later, she got her own self-titled spinoff, The Amanda Show. Amanda’s success continued as she transitioned into movies, with starring roles in popular films such as She’s the Man and Easy A.
Concerning Behavior and Conservatorship
However, in 2012, Amanda was arrested for driving under the influence, and her behavior became increasingly concerning. In 2013, she was charged with reckless endangerment and cannabis possession, and later detained after allegedly lighting a fire in a stranger’s driveway. Amanda was involuntarily hospitalized for a mental health evaluation, and her parents petitioned for her to be placed under a temporary conservatorship, which was granted in August 2013.
Personal Struggles
Amanda’s parents became her conservator for a second time, and it was later revealed that she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Despite her struggles, Amanda completed a degree at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising.
Recognizing the Need for Help
Last year, Amanda’s conservatorship was lifted, and she filed to terminate it after almost a decade. However, on Sunday, TMZ reported that Amanda was hospitalized after being placed on a psychiatric hold. Amanda was walking around downtown Los Angeles without any clothes on when she flagged down a car and told the driver that she was coming down from a “psychotic episode,” before calling 911 herself.
The Importance of Recognizing Agency
Amanda’s commendable actions in recognizing she needed help have been called out, with many feeling that the initial media coverage of her situation overlooked her agency. Amanda actively sought help during a crisis, and this deserves respect and recognition.
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