New Britney Book Describes Tragic Childhood, Poverty

Britney had stunning looks, bags of talent, a multi-million dollar fortune and worldwide fame. But away from the cameras she was a nervous wreck and had been prescribed Prozac (used for depression and panic attacks) at the age of 18.

During the European leg of her Oops! I Did It Again tour in the winter of 2000, she began having "massive anxieties" in the middle of the night. A source close to her says: "She had trouble sleeping and crying fits. She was restless and agitated. Nights were the only times she was alone and she struggled with that… When nothing was happening, it drove her crazy. Only exhaustion would knock her out." Such anxiety was not drug-induced. This was Britney's natural state, but heightened by fame. Her moods started to swing noticeably, high and happy one minute, sad and brooding the next. She just dismissed it as "silly ole me!"

Such was the level of concern that Britney was prescribed Prozac but she treated it like headache tablets, taking a pill only on the days she awoke depressed. This seemed to make her more manic. As early as 2000 the writing was on the wall. Inevitably, something would give.