Actress Amanda Bynes, known for her roles in “She’s the Man” and “Hairspray,” has been placed on a psychiatric hold after she was found walking naked on the streets of downtown Los Angeles in the early morning hours of Sunday, March 19. According to reports, Bynes waved down a car and informed the driver that she was coming down from a psychotic episode before calling 911 herself.
Law enforcement sources told TMZ that Bynes was then taken to a nearby police station. A mental health team then determined that she needed to be placed on a 5150 psychiatric hold. It is an involuntary hold that can last up to 72 hours and can be extended depending on the case. It has not been revealed what led to Bynes’ psychotic episode or why she was walking naked on the street.
Fortunately, sources also reported that Bynes did not appear to be physically harmed during the incident. She currently remains hospitalized under the 5150 hold. It is designed to protect those who may be a danger to themselves or others due to mental illness.
This is not the first time Bynes has had public struggles with mental health. In 2014, she was placed on an involuntary psychiatric hold after starting a small fire in a stranger’s driveway. She later opened up about her struggles with addiction and mental illness in a 2018 interview with Paper Magazine. She stated that she had been sober for four years and was working on her mental health.
Fans and fellow celebrities have expressed concern and support for Amanda Bynes on social media following the recent incident. It is hoped that she will receive the necessary treatment and support to recover and continue to manage her mental health.
