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Home Page > Blogs > News blogs > Periscope > Sinead O'Connor is not well and the media needs to lay off now--Irish singer is deeply troubled and in need of help

Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

Sinead O'Connor is not well and the media needs to lay off now--Irish singer is deeply troubled and in need of help

Posted on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 07:22 AM

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Sinead O'Connor (Credit: John Sciulli/Getty Images)

Why do I think that someday soon we will be reading about the further mental problems of Sinead O'Connor?

She's a woman who admitted to trying to commit suicide on her 33rd birthday and to being bi-polar.

Her latest escape, getting married for the fourth time and divorced 16 days later, is surely a sign of a mental instability that is only getting worse.

While she is fair game for the media and actively encourages the coverage, particularly through her blog, you have to wonder, at one point the train wreck becomes evident even to the worst tabloid reporter?

Like Lindsay Lohan, Sinead O'Connor is a disturbed woman who needs psychiatric care, not more headlines. She is beginning to resemble Charlie Sheen with his very public breakdown.

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She has often talked about the horrific abuse she sustained as a child from her own mother, and there is no question she had a very sad upbringing.

There is no questioning her talent and her beautiful voice, which may yet win an Oscar next year for her song from the movie Albert Nobbs.

But it has been clear from some time that Sinead, far from getting more settled and together in her later years, may well be getting worse.

While the headlines keep coming, she no doubt will continue to make them, and like all performers she's best before a live audience.

But her latest problems can be viewed as another cloud in a darkening landscape.

Sinead O'Connor is not well. That much is clearly evident. She needs medical, not media attention.

Hopefully those closest to her can convince her to go seek it. Otherwise, this could all turn out badly for her.

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oisinc123 | Dec 28, 2011, 06:38 PM EST

are you a journalist or a gp? you seem to be engaging in gossip which is potentially more harmful than anything sinead o'connor is doing. oisin.

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bonniellen | Dec 28, 2011, 05:32 PM EST

I do hope she does get help ..It is sad to let her go on with her life with thoughts of suicide..I hope her family or friends will please help her. I never did care for her songs against the church and the pope but maybe even then she was crying out for help. she is much to young to give up..

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proudirishlass | Dec 28, 2011, 05:01 PM EST

I am shocked at the attitude of so many on this site about mental illness.The stigma exists in 2011????. Just by the grace of GOD goes I. Mental illness is a chemical imbalance in the brain and there is little she can do about it except medicate and hope for the best. She should not be condemned or criticized for her illness. And shame on anyone for calling her hurtful names because of it. She frequently speaks the truth about the church and society but many can not accept it. The excuse is that she must be mentally ill to talk like that.Guess what, mentally ill people do have a right to an opinion and a right to express it. If she had diabetes, heart disease or cancer she would still have those opinions. Would you have the same opinion of her? She has a GOD given gift of a beautiful voice and musical talent and many can not recognize that either because of their prejudices towards her.She is bringing joy to the world with her voice and the least we can do is be supportive and understanding of her in this difficult time.Remember that just by the grace of GOD goes you and I.

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mayoman | Dec 28, 2011, 04:47 PM EST

You're right Niall. Sinead is not mentally well, and she is clearly in need of both compassion and medical attention. I wish her well.

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pilib04 | Dec 28, 2011, 03:54 PM EST

Sinead sure hit the nail on the head with the picture tearing incident. At the time there was all of us singing: "We didn't know it all, we didn't see a thing. You can't hold us to blame, what could we do? It was a terrible shame, But we can't bear the blame, Oh no, not us, we didn't know." Sinead is not the blame, but those who failed to support her are!

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RedBranch | Dec 28, 2011, 03:02 PM EST

Right on Firedog. She could be a test case for how Ireland treats its mentally ill. There was /is a hospital in Dundrum with 22 foot high walls, but i prefer St. Pats down by Heuston Station. light, bright and staffed by excellent professionals. Admit one O'Connor today.

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dingle999 | Dec 28, 2011, 02:01 PM EST

WTF Apologize to Frank Sinatra's family ? Exactly what for? Taping the Pope's picture back ? Are you been serious? (Have you been in Ireland the last decade in relation to the child sex abuse cases ?)

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irishpjk | Dec 28, 2011, 01:57 PM EST

She can sing but after that what is she. She brought on media, and both she and the media loved it now they look for her next screw up. Maybe she should try taping the Popes picture back together then apologize to the worlds Catholics, Frank Sinatra’s family and friends. Ask and pray for forgiveness.

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BillyFitz | Dec 28, 2011, 01:43 PM EST

I love Sinead's voice and music. I think she is a lot smarter then people give her credit for.

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madpadd | Dec 28, 2011, 01:11 PM EST

Jim Carey?

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NYCFiredog | Dec 28, 2011, 01:03 PM EST

She is obviously on a long Manic tear. Just like Charlie Sheen. She seems to be the extreme variety of Bi Polar. Think Charlie and Brittiany Spears. If you're going to have a mental illness, thjs is the one to have. It's easily managed with Meds like Lithuium. The problem is, Manic's pleasure centers are firing like mad and it's an extreme high they sometimes don't want to give up. And once you're into a Manic episode your judgement is GONE. And addictions ARE common as a way to self medicate. Thank God she's just after Reefer, unlike Charlie Sheen. And sexual acting out is also common as their libidos go wild. It's a pretty common illness among creative types. Think Patty Duke Astin, Jim Carrey, Brittainy Spears, Jonathan Winters. The list is endless. I hope she accepts help.

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madpadd | Dec 28, 2011, 01:00 PM EST

Well said Seamus. Such is the burden of fame. There are those who "handle" it a little better and put it to better use.

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SeamusMartin | Dec 28, 2011, 12:42 PM EST

We all have crosses to bear, but some have extra heavy crosses covered with splinters and thorns. She needs help, but in whom would she trust? All we can do is pray for her to find some inner strength to deal with her demons, enjoy her gift of song and ignore her rants and ravings.

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wyalusingjohn | Dec 28, 2011, 12:41 PM EST

Dingle999 if her behavior is not weird what is it? As long as you asked priests who molest children are not weird, they are criminal pedophiles who belong in jail. Weird behavior can be harmless child molesting is not. Please note that on this same page is another long story about her. So much for leaving her alone.

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madpadd | Dec 28, 2011, 12:39 PM EST

Wikipedia. Well it is often written with a bit of a slant. Have you ever heard anyone say, "well...Wikipedia says". Compassion given where due. In Sineads case, I find it difficult to say...due. If someone said, "she can't sing anymore", I would feel very sorry for her.

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