LOS ANGELES — Mischa Barton remains hospitalized after being placed under an involuntary psychiatric hold last week, but the former "O.C." star is making progress in her recovery.
While the star's rep, Craig Schneider, would not elaborate on Barton's condition, he did tell Us Weekly that she is "making improvements."
Barton was hospitalized last Wednesday after police were called to her home for a "medical issue." She is currently being treated at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
While what led to Barton's hospitalization remains a mystery, several of her friends have claimed that the 23-year-old actress struggles with her physical appearance.
"She has big self-esteem issues. ... She hates her legs," one pal told People. "She isn't comfortable with her body. It's been a big source of stress and self-hate."
Last May, Barton's body was a major tabloid story after she was photographed topless on a beach while vacationing in Australia. Several stories followed accusing Barton of having cellulite, which prompted her rep to respond that the photos were doctored.
"She had a big problem with those photos of her cellulite. … She didn't like it," a source tells People. "That just was something that contributed to her spiraling but she didn't do much to fix it because of her partying."
After the cellulite claims were made, Barton took to her blog where she opened up about the controversy and her ensuing weight loss.
"I'm happier and healthier than ever so there is no need to worry about me. Things are really well in Mischa world and I've just been watching what I eat," she wrote. "I still love my pilates and yoga, and have cut back on fatty foods a bit. My time in India and Paris really just helped me lose a little bit of weight but there's nothing drastic going on!"
"I appreciate the concern, I just wish the press wouldn't harbor on it as I think it's very unhealthy for young girls to read about and pay attention to," Barton continued. "To my female fans: Just be happy and secure with yourself and don't let other people's perceptions of you dictate the way you live your life."
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