Amanda Bynes sparks schizophrenia fears, placed under 5150 psychiatric hold

MEDICAL professionals are concerned Amanda Bynes is displaying signs of schizophrenia after she allegedly lit a makeshift bomb in an elderly woman's driveway.

AMANDA Bynes is reportedly displaying signs of schizophrenia.

The 27-year-old actress has been placed under a 5150 psychiatric hold after being taken into custody on Monday evening.

Usually people who are deemed a risk to themselves or others can be kept under observation for up to 72 hours. TMZ reports that medical professionals want the order to be extended.

"Amanda Bynes is exhibiting signs of schizophrenia... and medical professionals and others will seek a two week extension on her 5150 psychiatric hold so doctors can properly diagnose her," a source told the website.

The former child star has been charged with a number of misdemeanours since 2012, including driving under the influence, possession of marijuana, attempted evidence tampering and reckless endangerment.

It has been reported that Amanda's parents believe she is unable to care for herself and will seek for her to be placed in a conservatorship.

TMZ alleges that mother Lynn Organ and father Rick Bynes wanted to take action earlier, but felt they didn't have sufficient evidence to present to a judge.

Following this week's events, they are now confident they have a strong case.

The Hairspray star was detained after she started a fire outside a home in California on Monday night.

Although it was initially thought the incident wasn't high risk, reports have since indicated gasoline was involved and she also set fire to her trousers.

Bynes was then admitted to hospital for psychiatric evaluation.

Lynn and Rick are believed to have visited their daughter in the California medical facility where she is being held on Tuesday.

The troubled star has had a strained relationship with her parents for some years and tried to legally emancipate herself from them when she was a teenager. She later withdrew her petition.