Mischa Barton: Actress Talks About Her 'Full-On Breakdown' (VIDEO)

In 2003, actress Mischa Barton shot to fame when "The O.C." debuted on FOX, but by 2009 she was burned out and on the verge of a breakdown, according to People Weekly. She was 17 years old at the time.

"We thought, "Work hard, play hard,'" Barton told People Weekly of that time.

However, playing hard had some unwanted side effects for Barton, who found herself arrested for a DUI in 2007. In 2009, her parents attempted an intervention because they were concerned she was working and partying too hard. Soon after, Barton blacked out from taking a sedative and was admitted to the psychiatric ward at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center under an involuntary 5150 hold after she threatened to kill herself.

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

While being hospitalized forced Barton to slow down, the pressure was far from over as she faced criticism in the media for gaining weight, after previously being criticized for being too thin.

"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 ended up moving to Paris to calm down and escape the craziness.

"I needed to be on my own and get healthy," Barton said. "I just try to be balanced."

Barton is doing better now, and is refocusing on her career with a better attitude. She has an upcoming film, "I Will Follow You Into the Dark," as well as a television pilot called "The Gutsy Frog," where she plays a teacher. she also recently appeared in a music video for Noel Gallagher.

In addition to her acting career, the London-born actress has also opened a boutique in the city she is from. It carries her new makeup collection, a handbag line and some of her favorite clothing styles.

"I've learned a lot," Barton told People Weekly. "I'm stronger now."

The music video for Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Everybody's on the Run