Although it may seem as though 27-year old actress Amanda Bynes only recently began exhibiting signs of mental illness, sources tell FOX News that the star's struggles stem back to her days as a child star on Nickelodeon, and she may be suffering from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). How is Bynes doing in treatment now?
A judge recently granted the psychiatric hospital that is treating Bynes another 30 days on her 5150 police hold, where the star is reportedly doing better. It is now clear to all involved that her bizarre behavior, Twitter rants, legal issues and confrontations with paparazzi were not PR tactics to promote a new movie a la Joaquin Phoenix, but indeed signs of serious underlying issues.
"Amanda has made significant improvements, she is doing better than she was," an insider told FOX411's Pop Tarts column. "There are no drug problems involved, it's all mental. She has deep anger and PTSD, which tripped a psychotic episode... She is very ill, but manageable. Amanda genuinely wants to get better and has wanted to get better for some time."
Bynes roused the attention of the media after beginning a series of strange tweets, mostly about rapper Drake and how she wanted him to "murder [her] vagina." Pretty soon she was publicly declaring her love of plastic surgery (of which she does not appear to have any), threatening to sue magazines that published "fake" photos of her, and calling a variety of fellow famous people "ugly," including the President and First Lady of the United States.
Before declaring her retirement from the business several years ago, sources claim that Bynes was still coping with the pressures of being a child star for Nickelodeon and her post-Nick Hollywood career. They add that she is not very close with her parents, whom she may feel resentment towards for pushing her into show business at such a young age.
Although Judge Reider granted Bynes's mother Lynn temporary conservatorship over her daughter following treatment, it is a limited one, meant to help keep Bynes safe after returning from the hospital, and highly unlikely to become permanent.
"It doesn't happen often [that it is approved] because it is a really big deal," California lawyer Anahita Sedaghatfar told FOX411. "It is basically taking away a person's liberties, and [Bynes's parents] will have to show that she really can't take care of herself."
Lynn Bynes claimed that her daughter had blown through over $1 million of her savings over the past few months, and therefore cannot be trusted to handle her personal finances alone.
"Amanda can't make important decisions regarding her finances and welfare," FOX411's insider revealed. "But her parents can't either. Everything still needs to go through Amanda lawyer and the judge."
Allegedly, Amanda Bynes agreed to the extended 30 days in treatment and did not seem to be against getting more help.
"She is easy to deal with at the moment and agreed to stay," the insider continued. "While she is doing much better, Amanda needs to be monitored. She is on heavy anti-psychotic drugs and that requires constant medical observation."
Although some reports have claimed that Bynes is suffering from schizophrenia, her official diagnosis remains unclear and will likely never be released officially to the general public as, despite her celebrity, she still has her rights to privacy.
