For Amanda Bynes, the road to recovery has been a long and difficult one with many potholes and detours along the way.
Bynes’ struggle with mental illness played out in the public eye, and when she began to show signs of recovery earlier this year, fans rejoiced at the thought of having “the old Amanda” back.
Now, it seems their celebrations may have been premature.
Sources close to Bynes tell In Touch Weekly that the actress has suffered a “major relapse” and that she’s “struggling to regain control of her life. “
The news comes on the heels of a promising upswing, during which Bynes seemed to be getting the help she needed to repair her career and public image.
The positive changes in her Bynes’ behavior began earlier this year.
In April, Bynes returned to Twitter following an extended absence from the social media site.
Shortly thereafter, she gave her first interview in four years, during which she stated that she’s “doing great,” keeping busy, and looking forward to returning to acting.
“I’ve been going to school lately, fashion school, FIDM [the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising], and I love it. I’ve learned how to sew, I make patterns, and I want to start a clothing line in the future,” Bynes said.
“Other than that,” she continued, “I hike, I go spinning, take spinning classes, and I feed the homeless, and that’s been really interesting and fun.”
Sources verified that Bynes was once again pursuing an education after taking an extended hiatus:
“She began taking classes in the fall, even though she was kicked out before for showing up high as a kite,” said one fellow student.
“She seemed upbeat and talked about returning to TV.”
Unfortunately, the return to television never took place, and insiders say it’s Bynes’ inability to find work that touched off her latest meltdown.
The 31-year-old’s comeback came around the fifth anniversary of DUI arrest that seemed to trigger an extended downward spiral for Bynes.
In the months that followed, her drug use increased, and her behavior became more erratic, a pattern that culminated in Bynes being placed on a 5150 psychiatric hold and hospitalized for several months.
Here’s hoping Amanda can somehow regain that momentum and get back on the road to recovery.