Britney in Crisis

Strapped to a gurney after holding her son hostage, the deeply troubled singer endures her darkest hour – and terrified friends and family fear she won't face up to a likely bipolar disorder

Originally posted Thursday January 10, 2008 12:00 PM EST

JANUARY 3: "Britney [being taken from her home by ambulance] is a very sick girl," says a Spears family source. Photo by: Cousart-Ramirez-Rios / JFX

By now, sadly, it is a familiar sight: Britney Spears, driving around L.A. in the pitch dark with her lights off, engulfed by a meteor shower of paparazzi flashbulbs. On Jan. 7, hobbled by a flat tire and wreaking mayhem on L.A. traffic, a smiling Spears – in a slinky silk top and red boots – and her assistant Karla finally ditched their Mercedes on the street (police later impounded it) and hitched a ride home...