The transition from childhood to adulthood is an awkward and often difficult journey. I have many patients who are young adults still grappling with issues from their childhood and not quite prepared to handle the stress of the "real world" yet. They need a lot of attention, mentoring and love to help them through this period. I do not like to take up such cases unless I am sure I can dedicate enough time to it. Which is why, when
Lindsay Lohan's camp wanted to arrange a meeting, I kept declining. From what I hear that poor girl has a host of issues and a fly-by meeting would hardly make a difference. But the requests didn't stop and finally I gave in on the condition that it would just be an informal talk over lunch.
She walked in looking like a under-nourished, slightly unkempt rag doll. Her skin looked sun-damaged and blotchy and her hair extensions lay limp over her frail shoulders. Her green eyes had a glazed look and the smile she gave me was so brief I realized immediately, Lindsay hadn't wanted this meeting - she had probably been cajoled into having it. Before I could say anything, she started out in her signature raspy voice " I don't think I have a problem that you can help me with. I've been through enough rehab and counselling and probations (this rolling her eyes). I have my life under control now and don't really feel like sitting through a lecture." With this she crossed her hands and legs and sat looking at me defiantly. It was clear Lindsay was in a defensive, closed frame of mind and I was tempted to let her have her wish and walk away.
I looked at her - glimpses of the cute child star she once was still showed on her now blank, expressionless face. "Yes Lindsay, you don't really have any problems. You mind telling me why you're trying so hard to convince the world otherwise." The tactic worked. Her face twisted in anger and she leaned forward and began to hurl words at me - the girl who didn't seem interested in engaging in any conversation started rattling off a laundry list of issues she had, how people in her life had failed her - parents she trusted, boys she loved, girl she loved; projects she should have had, the brilliant career that should have been hers, the endorsements that should have been hers. She talked for a long time and when she was done sat looking at me with a challenging expression - like she expected me to apologize for not understanding how much she had endured and how she had persevered through all the tough times in her past.
Lindsay let me ask you something - from the time you woke up this morning upto this hour, what have you eaten? How many cigarettes have you smoked? Have you had something, lets say, more potent than nicotine today? How much time would you say you spent today - exercising or grooming yourself? How much time have you put in to better your career prospects today ? What have you read since morning? What is the one good thing you did for someone else today? She opened her mouth to say something and then decided against it. I pressed on with what I hoped would penetrate through the darkness enveloping this fragile soul.
Love is the most difficult and untamable emotion. It is inherent in all of us, yet it defies logic and requires so much hardwork. Our body and mind are the most invaluable possessions we have and yet so many of us find it genuinely difficult to love and care for it. By neglecting your body, denying it good wholesome food, trying to destroy it through drug and alcohol, not exercising, not paying attention to its needs you have proven to yourself that it is so much easier to abandon and ignore a precious gift rather than put in the effort and dedication it deserves. You're a grown woman now Lindsay and for all the blame you'd like to pin on the world for letting you down, you now have to look inwards and take responsibility for how you have let yourself down. Think for a moment how much time, dedication, blood and sweat you will have to put in if you decided this minute that you want to turn your whole life around? Does it seem like a daunting task? Does it seem easier to ignore these problems and go chasing after someone else seeking their love and approval instead. Now what if I told you the only thing you needed to get through this low patch was - LOVE. Love for yourself - that was all the fuel you needed to navigate this uphill road. Do you think you would be able to garner enough love within you to get the job done? Its not easy is it? Love is an inspired emotion, some bio-chemical wondrous rush that erupts and dies out of its own will. We can't command ourselves to love even our own self - it is something that has to be felt from deep within. How then, can we command this emotion from somebody else. How can we take it as our right and demand that people love us and continue to love us the way we want them to?
The important thing is to not feel like a victim. There are millions of orphans in this world who never knew what having a family was - even a broken, dysfunctional one. People everywhere have failing marriages and relationships. Some of the most promising careers have failed even before they took off. Look at it in perspective and you'll see you're not a victim, you're just another person facing regular challenges. The only difference is you're in a glass bowl, with the world watching you. Use this platform, not to make a spectacle of yourself, but to show them how its done right. Inspire your young fans by achieving your true potential. Love Lindsay and take good care of her - for she's the only one that truly matters.....
Lindsay walked out without a word. I never saw her again. Even so, I still have faith in this child-woman - she will find her step eventually. We all do.