Former Real Housewives of New Jersey star Danielle Staub has taken a much needed step back from her desperately flamboyant life and sought psychiatric help.
The celebreality star, at 48, had been ousted from the Housewives series (because apparently they love the drama and chaos, but even they have a limit!) and subsequently started a ‘singing’ career and announced she was a lesbian (which many thought may have been a questionable publicity stunt). ÂÂÂ
But the final straw in her desperate 15 minutes of fame came last week when it was reported that she had taken a gig as a stripper for famed strip club Scores. Staub signed a contract to make live appearances, as well as show up on ScoresLive.com.
Then, nude photos of her showed up all over the internet, and she panicked. Access Hollywood is reporting that she is now seeking treatment for psychological problems rooted in childhood sexual abuse.
Apparently the mental she is getting is from celebrity shrink Dr. Drew Pinsky.
Staub told People:ÂÂÂ
“I have addictions with love and low self-esteem, and I need help! My low self-esteem derived from childhood sexual abuse has messed with my mind and self-worth… For years I have had the suicide hotline on my cell phone and would like nothing more than to free myself from this constant pressure. Seeing how I have hurt myself and my family this time. I can no longer push it behind me.”
You can’t help but take a step back at the reality TV phenomenon and consider that shows often seek out ‘big’ personalities, which often come in the form of slightly damaged people – to make ‘good television.’ But getting caught up in the twisted world that is entertainment, it truly does start to mess with your mind. The fickleness, the ‘one minute you’re hot, next you’re not’ mentality, and the sad truth that your personality is ultimately a product that can be bought and sold, and eventurally returned.
Sometimes you have to wonder which came first, the breakdown or the notoriety. In this case, it seems Staub acknowledges that her issues began years ago. Whether an addiction to the attention that comes with tv exposure (and the sense of loss that comes with losing popularity) in any way fueled the personal insecurities can’t be proven, but seems almost inevitable.
It’s easy for many to laugh off the dramas of reality tv train wrecks, but ultimately, she’s a human being whose got things to work out. I wish her the best.