Britney Spears being treated by Bipolar specialists

Pop wreck Britney Spears was admitted to the UCLA Medical Center because of its experience with treating bipolar disorder, a source close to the singer claims.

"Her lawyers and doctors have been working with UCLA," says the source. "They were ready and had everything in place."

The facility, says the source, is better prepared to treat Britney than L.A.'s Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she was hospitalized for less than 48 hours earlier this month.

"When she went to Cedars they weren't ready for her," the source tells Us Weekly magazine.

"They have a much stricter unit at UCLA and treat bipolar cases regularly," the source adds. "This is a serious unit she's on."

It has previously been reported that Mariah Carey was treated at the same facility in 2001 following her highly publicized emotional breakdown.

Before the meticulously planned intervention, which subsequently lead to Spears' hospitalization, it was reported that the 'Gimme More' star hadn't slept since Saturday — a sign of suffering from bipolar disorder, says Pauline Wallin - an expert in the field. "You can go all night without sleeping," she says.

Another sign of Bipolar: Spears has extreme highs (known as manic episodes) followed by intense lows - a prime example, her argument with pal Sam Lutfi on Monday; she sobbed on a curbside, shoeless and "Her pattern of behavior indicates that she doesn’t have a lot of self-control when she gets upset," Wallin adds.

The troubled mother of two is currently under a "mental health evaluation hold" – commonly known as a "5150 – meaning she can be held there for up to 72 hours if a medical professional deems her a danger to herself or others.

After the 72-hour treatment, her family can seek a 14-day extended evaluation or patients can decide to seek further treatment, according to ABC News, citing the California Department of Mental Health.

"Because it was planned there's a much higher likelihood they'll be able to extend her stay beyond the 5150," the source says.

By Owen Williams, Jan 31 2008 © Copyright 2008 - Showbiz Spy