Mischa Barton was recently hospitalized and is “recovering” though it’s been somewhat confusing as to what it is she’s recovering from while she’s away – exhaustion, drug/alcohol abuse, it’s all in there. But according to a story at People.com it may be at least partially related to the actress having ongoing struggles with her body image.

Despite the fact that it appears – to me at least – that Mischa is gorgeous and has a body that anyone could easily envy, she’s never been comfortable with her body, according to a friend. The friend told the magazine, “She has big self-esteem issues. … She hates her legs. She isn’t comfortable with her body. It’s been a big source of stress and self-hate.”

It was also mentioned that part of Mischa’s spiral into a hardcore partying world is due to those cellulite photos that began floating around the internet awhile back. It upset her very badly and while Mischa told fans to be happy with themselves and accept their bodies, it seems that maybe she wasn’t able to take her own very good advice.

I wish her well through all this.

Image: BauerGriffinOnline