After months of outbursts from former Nickelodeon star Amanda Bynes on Twitter, her arrest for throwing a bong out the window of her apartment in New York City, and almost setting her dog on fire, the world may finally have an explanation as to what is causing her erratic behavior.
Bynes has been formally diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, according to The Hollywood Gossip.
The diagnosis was made while the star was undergoing treatment for her illnesses at UCLA Medical Center. She was involuntarily admitted to the hospital three months ago after setting a small fire in her neighbor’s driveway, says MTV.com. Bynes, 27, recently made the move to a different treatment facility in Malibu and she is currently under the conservatorship of her mother Lynn. A final determination of her diagnosis will be discussed by the end of this year, a psychiatric illnesses are notoriously difficult to diagnose.
The move to a new facility as well as medication has helped Amanda deal with her illnesses day to day, and everyone is taking note of her progress. TMZ reports that her parents felt that the move from the medical center to a private rehab center was necessary for her overall well-being. Through their lawyer, they said that their daughter is making “great strides towards recovery”.
A source close to the family told Radar Online “Nevertheless, it was difficult to process for Amanda’s parents. The bright side is that Amanda can lead a long, normal life, as long as she takes her medication. Doctors at the treatment facility are still working to get Amanda therapeutic meds and she’s responding to the medications she is being given to treat her dual diagnosis.”