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Mischa Barton Reveals The Story Behind Her Breakdown

Michelle Tiu |
October 16, 2013 | 2:16 p.m. PDT

Staff Reporter

Former "O.C." actress Mischa Barton opens up about her 2009 breakdown in an interview with "People" Magazine. (Tumblr)
Former "O.C." actress Mischa Barton opens up about her 2009 breakdown in an interview with "People" Magazine. (Tumblr)
In an exclusive interview with "People" magazine, Mischa Barton spoke for the first time about her "full-on breakdown" that came after being cast as Marissa Cooper on the hit TV series "The O.C.," the show that shot her to Hollywood stardom.

Much like her character on "The O.C.," Barton became a hardcore partier, but she was also overwhelmed by work. The actress told "People" that because she was only a teenager at the time, she was picking up jobs that she didn't necessarily want to do but couldn't get out of. 

Describing her lifestyle then as "work hard, play hard," Barton's downward spiral first became apparent to the public when she was arrested in December 2007 for DUI and marijuana possession.

Two years later, her parents attempted an intervention, but that only resulted in Barton landing in the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center psychiatric ward after she took some Xanax and blacked out.  

Threatening to kill herself, Barton was committed under an 5150 involuntary hold and subsequently tried to step away from the spotlight in order to heal, living in London and Paris for some time.

"It was a full-blown breakdown. I was put under enormous pressure." Barton also added, “It was terrifying. Straight out of ‘Girl, Interrupted.’ Story of my life.” 

Unfortunately, her hospital stay only attracted more media attention with some people criticizing her for gaining weight. "It was always, 'She's too skinny, she must be sick," said Barton. "Then it was, 'She's too big.' I was never the right weight."

But Barton is "stronger now," having learned to ignore the negative comments and just focus on staying positive, which is definitely working out well for her.

The actress now has multiple projects lined up, including the supernatural thriller "I Will Follow You Into The Dark," the TV pilot for "The Gutsy Frog," and a boutique in London that carries her makeup and handbag collections. 

 

Reach Staff Reporter Michelle Tiu here or follow her on Twitter.



 

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