Gravely disabled Spears screams for lover

Britney Spears spent her first night in a psychiatric unit screaming until the early hours, it emerged yesterday.

And in a court hearing yesterday, the pop star's father was named her temporary legal guardian, putting him in control of her welfare and money.

The 26-year-old singer is said to be traumatised after being committed two days ago to a Los Angeles hospital for the second time in a month.

She was admitted after her mother, Lynne Spears, set up a 1.30am "grab" by police and medics, fearing her daughter was suicidal.

Spears' psychiatrist, said to have diagnosed her with bipolar disorder, reportedly committed her for her safety.

A friend said she was pining for her British paparazzo boyfriend, Adnan Ghalib.

"She was up most of the night screaming for Adnan," the friend said. "She has not stopped crying and was even screaming for him in her sleep. She really loves him."

Another said: "She has always been needy, so it's not surprising to see her pining for Adnan."

Spears spent two hours screaming at her parents and staff when she was admitted and flew into another rage yesterday when told her father had been put in control of her estate.

A US website reported Spears made two calls from the UCLA psych ward after learning of the court hearing.

It said that in the British accent she has recently adopted, Spears screamed: "I'm so sick of all of this. They can have the goddamn house and stick it up their f---ing asses. Actually, no they can't."

TMZ.com claimed she was screaming and incoherent. She shouted: "Nobody's taking my house. Who is my family?"

Tears welled in the eyes of Spears' father, Jamie, when the court decision was made. He and an attorney, Andrew Wallet, will be guardians of the estate and Mr Spears is his daughter's guardian. The singer's mother was also in court.

The court also issued a restraining order against Spears' sometime manager and friend Sam Lutfi.

Commissioner Reva Goetz said Spears would be "under conservatorship" until tomorrow, when another hearing would be held.

Mr Spears will be able to restrict visitors, have around-the-clock security for Spears and have access to her medical records, Commissioner Goetz said. But it was unclear if he had the power to make medical decisions on her behalf.

Commissioner Goetz gave approval for Mr Spears to "take all actions to secure all liquid assets, including credit cards".

Spears has been classed as mentally "gravely disabled" and will be helped with basic functions such as feeding. Her loss of control over her affairs came less than a decade after she shot to stardom as a teenager with the hit Baby One More Time and followed a year of bizarre behaviour.

Via news.com.au