I first posted this at Hollywoodistas.com, but it's such a culturekitchen topic to discuss that I just had to cross-post it.

I hate it when I get beaten to a story. For days now I have been researching the possible cause of Britney's meltdown ... and effing TMZ.com beat me to it by a day. URGH!

TMZ has learned Britney Spears' troubles may have little to do with substance abuse. Sources say doctors at her rehab facility think the underlying reason for her trouble may be post-partum depression.

Sources tell TMZ that Britney's doctors have two operating theories -- either that she suffers from post-partum depression or bipolar disorder. The doctors strongly believe post-partum is the problem.

I am not a doctor, so I cannot give a technical assesment of the pop tarts' situation, but as one of the many women who've been felled at one point or another by post-partum depression, I can tell you that what Britney's going through is way more extreme than your run-of-the-mill PPD.

Hers may be a case of post-partum psychosis.

There is actually quite a lot written about post-partum depression, easily available with the click of a google search. What seems still to be a subject of taboo is the idea of post-partum pyschosis, thanks in part to the Andrea Yates multiple infanticide case.

Britney would be the perfect candidate for PPP :

• There's history of alcoholism in the family.

• Britney herself is an alcoholic and substance abuser.
• She is far too young for the kind of success and responsibility that has been heaped on her.
• Her marriage desintegrated a few months ago.

She also has shown in public the standard behaviour of a PPP sufferer :

• Delusions

• Illogical thoughts
• Insomnia
• Refusing to eat
• Extreme feelings of anxiety and agitation
• Periods of delirium or mania
• Suicidal or homicidal thoughts

There's more at Pregnancy Info :

Who Is At Risk?
Women with a personal history of psychosis, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia have an increased risk of developing postpartum psychosis. Likewise, women who have a family history of psychosis, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia have a greater chance of developing the disorder. Additonally, women who have had had a past incidence of postpartum psychosis are between 20% and 50% more likely of experiencing it again in a future pregnancy.

Causes of Postpartum Psychosis
Experts aren’t exactly sure why postpartum psychosis happens. However, they do offer a variety of explanations for the disorder, with a woman’s changing hormones being at the top of their list. Other possible reasons or contributing factors include a lack of social and emotional support; a low sense of self-esteem due to a woman’s postpartum appearance; feeling inadequate as a mother; feeling isolated and alone; having financial problems; and undergoing a major life change such as moving or starting a new job.

The fact she is still inside the Promises rehabilitation center is awesome. My heart really goes out to her.

Post-partum depression is a big, dark abyss in front of you and you just beg it to swallow you whole until the voice of your children snaps you out of it.

Britney obviously has enough love for them she has a reason not to let the abyss swallow her.

Others like Andrea Yates, were not that lucky.

I honestly wish her well.