Mischa Barton: The Truth About Her Breakdown

Mischa Barton has opened up  the mental breakdown and drug use which derailed her career in the latest issue of PEOPLE.

A decade ago, Barton was at the height of her celebrity. She was a 17-year-old teenager who starred on the popular TV show, The O.C. She immediately became one of Hollywood's it girls but with that status came trouble.

"We thought, 'Work hard, play hard,' " she said.

In 2007, Barton was arrested for DUI. Two years later, her parents staged an intervention because they were worried about her behavior. She was ultimately placed in the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center psychiatric ward under an involuntary 5150 hold after threatening suicide.

"It was a full-on breakdown," Barton said. "I was under enormous pressure."

The now 27-year-old actress said that those events forced her to change the direction of her life. However, even as she struggled to put her life together, she was criticized. Many took exception to her weight gain and overall appearance.

"It was always, 'She's too skinny, she must be sick,'" Barton said. "Then it was, 'She's too big.' I was never the right weight."

Barton told the publication that she is much happier these days. She is starring in various projects such as Will Follow You Into The Dark and has a London boutique.

"I've learned a lot," she said "I'm stronger now."