Dear Heidi and Spencer...

So, after watching last Tuesday's episode of "The Hills," I have to say, I am absolutely shocked.

Most of the time, you know reality TV is fake, or at least somewhat scripted. You know that most of the drug addictions and rumors and accusations are all clever editing tricks or partially-acted scenes by the parties involved. Even though "The Hills" has been one of my favorite shows for 4 years now, I realize that a lot of it is completely fake. However, there is one thing that I firmly believe is not, and never has been, fake--and that is Heidi and Spencer's tumultuous relationship.

Prior to this season, their relationship had been nothing out of the reality TV idea of ordinary. Now, to quote Lo Bosworth, they've "taken a left turn into legitimate crazyland." Crystals, hoarding, brainwashing one another...it's turned scary. Watching this week's episode, I was legitimately terrified for Spencer's sanity, and, more importantly, Heidi's safety.

Heidi has allowed herself to become brainwashed by Spencer, no doubt about it. He yells and screams and threatens her family, and she sits by and tells him to just "take a breath." Spencer no longer allows Heidi to go on the computer or watch TV. Now, she is only allowed to read books, write poetry, and pray. I have also read that he orders her to clean up around the house while he just leaves his mess everywhere. This brainwashing only compounds Heidi's personal issues that she is clearly struggling with--after all, normal people do not undergo 10 surgeries in one day. Normal people do not call the police on their mothers. Normal people do not sit around in their houses, only leaving 3 times a month. And normal people do not completely remove their friends and families from their lives.

As for Spencer, we all knew he was a little crazy from day one. But at least then, he was crazy in the way that most young guys are crazy. He's moved from fun-crazy into crazy-crazy. Spencer clearly has delusions of grandeur as well as extremely violent tendencies. I'm no psychiatrist, but I don't think it's normal to scream at people constantly and want to control your wife all the time. I also don't think it's normal to have such extreme displays of aggression towards people you don't even know. In addition, Spencer legitimately believes he and Heidi are the most famous people on the planet. Ummm...are you serious? Yes, they have quite a following, but they are certainly not the most famous people on the planet by any means. The most fame-whoring couple, maybe, but not the most famous. Now, Spencer has turned to crystals as a means of controlling his anger, but it seems to me it's only made it worse.

As a couple, the two live in their home with a Marine who is Spencer's "business partner." They rarely leave the house, save for 3-4 times a month. Spencer orders Heidi around and tells her to clean up after him and their 4 not-quite-housebroken dogs. Spencer has lined the windows in the house with crystals to "keep bad energy out and keep Heidi in." They do not talk to anyone in their families--Heidi has changed her number so that no one in her family can get in touch with her, and has threatened to get a restraining order on her mother. Spencer's family has removed all of the pictures of him from their home and have essentially given up on him.

Heidi and Spencer, please, please, PLEASE get help. As a fan who cares about the welfare of both of you, it breaks my heart to see both of you in this awful place. Heidi, you need to see a psychiatrist, and Spencer, you need to take some anger management courses. You two should also definitely see a marriage counselor. It is so sad to watch your lives--and the lives of those around you--fall apart because of your problems and actions.

As for you, my loves, if you are ever in a controlling relationship, or feel like you are nothing without your significant other, you need to get out immediately. As someone who has been there, I know how hard it is to be without the person that you love, but ultimately, you are hurting yourself and the person you love by remaining in that relationship. In addition, if you are struggling with anger problems, body image issues, or depression in general, please seek professional help. Again, I've been there, and going to see a professional therapist is the best way to deal with things. Get help before your life falls apart.

xoxo,
Laura

UPDATE: Heidi Montag filed for a legal separation from Spencer Pratt on June 8, 2010.