Courtesy of Rolling Stone
Chris Brown’s behavioral problems may be the result of a mix of bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, E! News reports. The publication obtained a probation officer’s report that includes a letter from a residential treatment facility attributing Brown’s troubles to mental health issues.
“Mr. Brown will… require close supervision by his treating physician in order to ensure his bipolar mental health condition remains stable,” the letter says. “It is not uncommon for patients with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Bipolar II to use substances to self-medicate their biochemical mood swings and trauma triggers. . . . Mr. Brown became aggressive and acted out physically due to his untreated mental health disorder, severe sleep deprivation, inappropriate self-medicating and untreated PTSD.”
The letter from the facility praises Brown’s attitude toward his community service requirements, noting that the singer wakes up at 5 in the morning and works 24 hours a week without having to be prompted to participate. “We have worked with many privileged young people over the past decade and our clinical team agrees that Mr. Brown’s attitude has been beyond exemplary in regard to his community service responsibilities,” the letter says.
Brown’s probation officer notes that Brown has completed 250 hours of community service and has 750 left to go. He also writes that Brown “appreciates what he has learned in the rehabilitation facility, as it has allowed him to change his life for the better. He remains thankful to the court, for the opportunity to find out and learn more about himself, his anger issues and the type of person he wants to become, which is a man who is able to better himself and be a positive role model.” In addition, Brown “indicated he wants to continue completing his community labor hours and looks forward to staying out of trouble.”
Despite Brown’s progress, a Los Angeles judge ordered Brown to remain in the treatment program for another two months, CNN reports. Brown first entered the facility in October after he was jailed in Washington, DC on an assault charge. A trial for that charge is set for April. In the meantime, Brown continues to work on his music, and plans to release his sixth album, X, sometime this year.