Updates on Delta Burke`s Psychiatric Treatment
DELTA BURKE, STAR OF "DESIGNING WOMEN": I came in because I was on so many medications and they just weren`t working.</s>ANDERSON: A very brave Delta Burke opens up about her battle with mental illness. And tonight, brand new developments to tell you about. Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, TV`s most provocative entertainment news show. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Surprising new details tonight involving two Hollywood stars in crisis. We just heard Delta Burke`s dramatic phone call to TMZ. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can now tell you that Burke did not check herself into a psych ward as was first reported but into a clinic where she is getting her medication adjusted. Also new right now, Evan Mendes is taking a break from rehab. Eva`s rep has confirmed that the actress temporarily left a rehab center where she is being treated. Joining us from New York, clinical psychologist Dr. Judy Kuriansky. And in Hollywood, psychologist Dr. Allen Berger(ph). Great to see you both. And as we know with Delta Burke, she has revealed she has suffered from severe depression and obsessive compulsive disorder. Dr. Judy, is it common for someone with her conditions to have to get her medications adjusted?</s>JUDY KURIANSKY, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST: Absolutely, Brooke. And remember, she also admitted that she had anxiety. So you have three conditions. They all can be treated with some anti-anxiety agents and also antidepressants. There are three classes of antidepressants and all these medications might help. But you have to decide which one is the best, which combination of them is the best and in what dosage. It`s very delicate to do this as we`ve seen even with the Britney situation. Now, the other added important issue here is that Delta has physical disorders besides some psychological and mental problems. And that is her diabetes and her weight issues. So if she`s getting medication also for those, you have to pay attention to how those interact with side effects with her other medications.</s>ANDERSON: Absolutely. And a moment ago, we heard some of Delta Burke`s call to TMZ. Now, I want you to listen to another part where she discusses her mental health issues. Listen to this.</s>BURKE: We were thinking that maybe I hadn`t been properly diagnosed because some of these meds didn`t seem like they were working. You know, like antidepressants and stuff. Because I have, you know, severe depression. I knew I had generalized anxiety and I knew I had problems with obsessive compulsive and the hoarding which I really want to work on.</s>ANDERSON: Oh, Delta sounds very distressed. And you know, just looking at everything she is dealing with - anxiety, depression, OCD. These are some big, very troubling issues. Dr. Berger, what does this say to you about what she is struggling with?</s>DR. ALLEN BERGER, PSYCHOLOGIST: Well, I think the first thing that we need to pay attention to is that good for Delta that she is recognizing that what she is doing so far isn`t working.</s>ANDERSON: Yes.</s>BERGER: That`s a really important part, Brooke, is that she is honest with herself about that, and I really like that. You know, that makes me feel really positive and, you know, it gives her a good prognosis for the treatment she`s going to receive. You know, these conditions are telling her that something`s wrong with her life. And I think what they`re going to do is really smart right now. The drugs that she is on currently are not working. That`s what she`s telling us. So they`re going to take her off all of those and then they`re going to probably reintroduce the drugs to see the effect. What I also hope happens is that she starts looking about what the symptoms mean about her life. Because, see, when these things start to come up for us, the depression and anxiety, it`s also an indication that something`s wrong. Something`s not right with our life. And that to me I think is so important, too, that she gets some help in addition to whatever they do at the medication.</s>ANDERSON: Certainly.</s>BERGER: Therapy and medication works best, you know?</s>ANDERSON: Absolutely. Well, you know, after the initial reports that Delta Burke had checked herself into a psych ward, her people made a point to clarify what type of treatment facility Delta was actually in. Dr. Judy, are we just playing semantics here? I mean he bottom line is that Delta needs to be getting serious help. Right?</s>KURIANSKY: Exactly. She needs serious help and it sounds to me very much, Brooke, like this is a way to back pedal and to distance Delta from Britney to say, "Oh, Britney, padded room and a psychiatric ward. Let`s not say she`s really that bad," and panic people and protect her image when, in fact, guess what? Some psychiatric hospitals are in fact called clinics, too. And as a psychiatric place, is the best place for her to be right now, whether you call it a clinic or anything else.</s>ANDERSON: Yes. And the timing with Britney`s issues are coincidental obviously. Well I do want to get to another Hollywood star dealing with some health issues, and that is actress Eva Mendes. Her rep told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT she plans on returning to the rehab center soon to finish her treatment. Now, this is something we saw with Lindsay Lohan. She would enter rehab. But then she would leave on shopping excursions, to run errands and do other things. But Dr. Berger, Eva Mendes - should she just stay in the rehab, focus solely on that treatment? Isn`t that what`s important? Very quickly.</s>BERGER: There is no question - there is no question that that`s important. It`s like she is in the middle of open heart surgery and she`s going to get up and take a break? I mean, they`re not finished with her yet. She needs stay in treatment.</s>ANDERSON: Yes, may not be -</s>BERGER: Yes.</s>ANDERSON: It may not be wise to pop in and out like that. Dr. Allen Berger, Dr. Judy Kuriansky, we will leave it there. Thank you both.</s>BERGER: Thank you.</s>KURIANSKY: Thanks.</s>ANDERSON: And we have more rehab news for you tonight. The host of "The Insider," Pat O`Brien, has entered rehab again. "The Insider" issued a short statement saying, "O`Brien and his doctors thought that was the best way to maintain his sobriety." O`Brien famously entered rehab once before after shocking and scandalous voicemails he left for a woman were released. We do wish our colleague well.</s>HAMMER: Brand new Britney news tonight. There was a secret hearing on an emergency motion from Britney`s dad. I`ve got to say, it looks like some drastic measures are being taken to save Britney from herself. Well, we have a fired up panel ready to talk about that coming up. Also, Anna Nicole Smith, one year later. It has been one year since her tragic death and we are catching up with the key players in the Anna Nicole Smith drama - Howard K. Stern, Virgie Arthur. And I`ve got to wonder, what ever happened to Judge Larry? Straight ahead, the fascinating revelations, where are they now?</s>HAMMER: And remember Heidi Fleiss, the former Hollywood Madame? Well, she`s back in the headlines today. I`d love to say it`s for something wonderful. But yes, no dice on that. She has been arrested again and she is speaking out about it. You`ll hear in her own words what happened, coming up next on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. You will definitely want to stick around.