Britney Spears has opened up about a lot in her new autobiography, The Woman In Me, including the pregnancy that resulted from her relationship with Justin Timberlake, and her difficult experiences with the paparazzi during the 00s.
Writing about her 'party era' after becoming a mother of two in 2006, the singer shares that the tabloid stories about her that claimed she used hard drugs were inaccurate, saying instead that her "drug of choice" was Adderall – a medication typically prescribed to those with ADHD.
"The tabloids were full of accusations: She's a slut! She's on drugs!" Britney writes, before explaining "I never had a drinking problem. I liked to drink, but it was never out of control. Do you want to know my drug of choice? The only thing I really did except for drinking? Adderall, the amphetamine that's given to kids for ADHD."
She adds, "Adderall made me high, yes, but what I found far more appealing was that it gave me a few hours of feeling less depressed. It was the only thing that worked for me as an antidepressant, and I really felt like I needed one of those. I never had an interest in hard drugs."
In her memoir, Britney speaks candidly about her experience of social anxiety and perinatal depression (depression that occurs during or after pregnancy) and postpartum depression, sharing that she felt unsupported by those around her and unable to freely make the typical mistakes new mothers do, due to being in the spotlight.
Reflecting back on those times (her son Sean Preston was born 14 September 2005 and Jayden James followed on 12 September 2006), Britney also praised fellow celebrity, Paris Hilton, for being a good friend.
"She saw that I had babies and that I was suffering [following a break-up with Kevin Federline], and I think she felt sorry for me. She came over to my house and helped me out so much."
When discussing her social anxiety, Britney says how it may seem ironic that someone who can command an arena full of people would get nervous speaking with a couple of people backstage, but rightly points out that anxiety disorders have little logic.
