Amanda Bynes Hospitalized In Psychiatric Ward After She Flagged Down A Driver For Help

Actress Amanda Bynes was hospitalized and placed in the psychiatric ward today. Bynes rapidly rose to fame for her Nickelodeon hit “The Amanda Show,” which ran on the network from 1999 to 2002. Bynes went on to star in a number of teen and romantic comedies, from “Sydney White” to “She’s The Man” and countless other fan-favorite y2k movies in between. Her successful acting career was abruptly put on hold when she was initially arrested for driving under the influence (a DUI) in West Hollywood, California, in 2012. Following the incident, Bynes continued to struggle with substance abuse and mental health troubles.

In recent years, Bynes was released from a nine-year conservatorship similar to that of musician Britney Spears. Her conservator was her mother, Lynn Bynes. Both of her parents voluntarily released her from the conservatorship in 2022 when the family and mental health professionals agreed that she was ready to take on life as a private citizen. Following the end of the conservatorship, Bynes told Entertainment Tonight that “In the last several years, I have been working hard to improve my health so that I can live and work independently, and I will continue to prioritize my well-being in this next chapter. I am excited about my upcoming endeavors, including my fragrance line, and look forward to sharing more when I can.”

She received her Associate’s Degree in Merchandise Product Development from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles in 2019. Today, Bynes was hospitalized and remains on psychiatric hold after she was found wandering the streets of Los Angeles naked. Bynes allegedly flagged down a driver and explained that she was experiencing an episode of psychosis, and the stranger took her to a nearby hospital.

Outside of her struggles with addiction, Bynes was previously diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder and manic depression. It is likely that Bynes was experiencing the aftermath of a period of mania, a common symptom for people living with her mental illnesses. Fans of Bynes’ acting career took to Twitter to wish her well, and applauded her willingness to seek help during her episode.

Others wonder if she experienced a Nickelodeon-related trigger recently. Several former stars of popular shows on the network in the 90s and 00s have come forward and alleged abuse at the hands of producer Dan Schneider. Among them was ex “iCarly” and “Sam and Cat” star Jeanette McCurdy, who penned a memoir titled “I’m Glad My Mom Died” about the alleged abuse she experienced at the hands of her late mother and Dan Schneider. The memoir led many to question the ethics of the platform, and the trauma it allegedly inflicted upon many of its stars.

Some recognized that today’s incident may not have been a lapse in her sobriety, but a challenge posed by her mental health conditions. Her self awareness was noted by one Twitter user as a sign of positive progress.

Others were quick to warn against repeating history when it comes to media coverage of female celebrities experiencing difficulties with their mental health or sobriety. The heavy scrutiny on Britney Spears is what ultimately lead to her  lengthy conservatorship, and contributed to what many felt was the sexism of the entertainment industry at large.

Fans continue to honor her legacy in acting, and continue to advocate for safer production environments for women in film.

Amanda Bynes is currently being treated at an undisclosed hospital in Los Angeles, California following her episode. Bynes’ representative is yet to issue comment on the matter.

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