Mischa Barton's friends were so concerned she would try to kill herself they called police to have her sectioned, it has been claimed.
Mischa Barton's friends were worried she was suicidal, it has been claimed.
Pals close to 'The O.C.' actress - who was sectioned on Wednesday (15.07.09) after being placed under a 5150 hold, a piece of US legislation which means she poses a danger to herself or others - were convinced she would try to commit suicide unless they forced her to get help.
A source told the New York Post newspaper: "She's in very bad shape.
"She's running out of money and can't find love, so now she is looking for a good time to escape her misery. She is on a downward spiral. She is a mess. She is a suicidal, uninsurable mess."
Under a 5150 hold order - which can also be used to detain someone who is gravely disabled or has a mental disorder - a person can only be held for up to 72 hours, but doctors can ask for an additional 14-day hold if they believe it is warranted.
The 23-year-old actress was taken to Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for psychiatric evaluation, with her publicist Craig Schneider recently confirming she is still at the hospital.
Friends of the actress - who did not attend the New York premiere of her new movie 'Homecoming' on Thursday (16.07.09) - recently claimed she was on a "destructive path" of drug use, and believe it will take her a long time to fully recover.
One said: "She is a tortured and troubled person. You can survive a bad review, but when you don't show up for the premiere of your new film, it's not a good sign of where your career is heading."
A 5150 hold is the piece of legislation which was used to hold Britney Spears after she suffered a breakdown in 2008.
In April 2008, Mischa pleaded no contest to drink driving and later went to rehab to prove she "was sober".
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