Drew Barrymore Opens Up About Being In A Psychiatric Ward At 13: 'I Really Was Out Of Control'

Updated September 7, 2021

Drew Barrymore is one of the most talented and well-respected actresses that exists in Hollywood today. She's spent her career warming her way into our hearts with her oddball antics, and many of her most iconic films remain cult classics to this day.

But as many of us have recently come to learn, her success came at an incredible cost. During an interview with Howard Stern, Drew admitted that she was so out of control growing up that her mother had her committed for one full year to a psychiatric hospital.

Most of us know Drew Barrymore as the lovable girl next door, but there's a lot more to her than that.

New Line Cinema

Drew's down-to-earth personality and quirky nature made her an instant fan-favorite in films like The Wedding Singer and Never Been Kissed.

As well as being one of the most well-known and recognizable actresses of the '90s and early '00s, Drew is also a business mogul.

Instagram | @drewbarrymore

In 1995, Drew co-founded her own production company called Flower Films in order to begin financing her own passion projects.

She also hosts her own talk show, and still somehow manages to raise two young girls.

Instagram | @drewbarrymore

One of the lone bright spots to come out of the COVID-19 crisis was The Drew Barrymore Show. It first premiered back in September of 2020.

As of January, it had produced more than 80 episodes.

Instagram | @drewbarrymore

When Drew isn't in front of the camera (or behind one), she's super-mom to Olive and Frankie. I think you get the gist of it — Drew Barrymore is an absolute beast.

But what many people tend to forget is that Drew has been acting since she was a child.

Universal Pictures

Drew's acting career began when she was only seven years old.

Her first major film role was playing Gertie in the heartwarming classic, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.

Drew was born into an acting dynasty.

Instagram | @drewbarrymore

Her family was incredibly well-known in Hollywood and her mother was an actress as well.

Instead of taking Drew to school, Jaid Barrymore would ask Drew if she'd prefer to accompany her to Studio 54.

During a recent interview with Howard Stern, Drew explained how her erratic behavior drove her mother to commit an unthinkable act.

By the time she was 10 years old, Drew had already become well-acquainted with the pitfalls of alcohol and drug abuse.

She was spiraling out of control and freely admits that she was turning into a monster.

Instagram | @drewbarrymore

This behavior led Jaid to commit her daughter to Van Nuys Psychiatric Hospital.

Drew vividly recalls horrific moments where she was locked up inside a padded room and being forcefully tied down with stretcher restraints.

Howard was shocked.

He seemed dumbfounded as to why Drew's mother would have jumped to such extremes.

"I think she created a monster, and she didn't know what to do with the monster," Drew explained to Howard Stern.

She goes on to say how her placement in the hospital was a last-ditch effort on her mother's part to try and rectify her own behavior and poor decisions.

Instagram | @drewbarrymore

That at the time, she felt that it was the only option to save her child.

The legendary radio host was also curious if Drew and her mother still spoke.

Drew admits that she and her mother have only recently gotten back on speaking terms.

It took years for Drew to get over what she perceived to be a betrayal from the person who was supposed to love her most.

In the end, Drew says that the grudge simply wasn't worth the emotional burden:

Instagram | @drewbarrymore

"The pain that I went through from that, I felt so guilty denying my mom access to me. It felt like I was cutting off the source of life."

In spite of everything, Drew says that she looks back on her past as a learning experience.

She isn't mad at her mother. In fact, she empathizes with her.

Drew has come to a point in her life where she believes that her mother is not the same woman she once was.

She understands that real and lasting change takes time.

Instagram | @drewbarrymore

"So why not her too?" Drew reasons.

As you can see from this photo posted from last Mother's Day, Drew really is dedicated to rebuilding and repairing the relationship with her estranged mother.

Now, we want to hear from you!

Instagram | @drewbarrymore

Do you think this was the right decision for Drew Barrymore's mother to take? Or do you think it was over the line?

Either way, let us know down below in the comment section! We would love to hear from you!

Filed Under: