Mischa Barton Speaks About Hospitalization

Former "O. C." star Mischa Barton has finally explained her brief hospitalization last month, saying that the difficult period was caused by a combination of stressful events.

Barton was removed from her home in mid-July, and it was rumored that she was being held in a psychiatric ward against her will. According to MTV.com, the police reported that she had "medical issues," and a friend of hers mentioned some "bad habits that had gotten out of control a few years back."

Over a month later, Barton spoke to Time Out New York about the incident. She explained that she had oral surgery right before traveling to where her new show, "The Beautiful Life," would be shot. She said that the surgery "went wrong" and she was in constant pain, but couldn't take painkillers during work.

"I have a newfound respect for people who have chronic pain," said Barton.

The combined stress of the constant pain and the pressure to recover in time for her new show pushed her to the edge. She said that she wasn't sure if what she experienced was a nervous breakdown, just that she was "down in the dumps about everything there for awhile."

Barton is now almost completely healed, and has filmed four episodes for "The Beautiful Life," which premieres on Sept. 16.