Country queen Dolly Parton is waging a desperate battle with mental illness, according to insiders — who fear it could spell the end of her amazing career!
The 73-year-old superstar has confessed to struggling with insomnia, and sources said she’s been haunted by depression that impacts her daily life.
But most disturbing of all, medical experts who have not treated the “Jolene” singer suspect she may have suffered facial paralysis or a stroke that’s affected her speech!
Click through the gallery above for the shocking exclusive details!
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Photo credit: GETTY
After reviewing recent videos of Dolly at The National ENQUIRER’s request, New York internist Dr. Stuart Fischer noted the 9 to 5 star sometimes slurs her words.
“Speech depends in part on circulation, which depends on the state of our arteries. If the speech area in the left side of the brain is affected, words can be slurred or forgotten,” Dr. Fischer told The ENQUIRER.
“A stroke or ‘ministroke’ can damage the brain cells controlling speech. This may be an explanation.”
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Florida-based physician Dr. Gabe Mirkin added: “The odds are she had Bell’s palsy, a sudden paralysis of the muscles on the side of her face.
“In most people, this leads to some residual weakness for the rest of their lives.”
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The eight-time Grammy winner — who’s sold more than 100 million albums and built a $500 million fortune — has long wrestled with inner demons, sources said.
“Dolly’s family suffered from a history of depression, so she’s always been mindful of it,” a friend revealed.
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Photo credit: GETTY
“One thing that’s helped her, along with prayer and meditation, is she’s been sharp as a tack.
“But lately, she sometimes feels like she’s unraveling. Things that used to come naturally she can no longer remember. Little worries now consume her for days.”
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Photo credit: GETTY
According to insiders, Dolly “has come a long way” since falling into a dark hole after a 1984 partial hysterectomy ended her hopes of starting a family with hubby Carl Dean.
More recently, she’s been left reeling by the drug overdose death of 36-year-old niece Tever Parton in 2017, and the losses of pal Burt Reynolds and her brother Floyd last year.
“Dolly has found that it’s often one step forward, two steps back [when it comes to] dealing with her depression,” added her friend. “Since she turned 70, it gets harder and harder for her to rise above it.”
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Photo credit: Mirrorpix / MEGA
She’s also been plagued by insomnia. “I sleep, you know, three hours — five hours is a long night for me,” Dolly has admitted. “I’m up more hours than most. I figure I’ll sleep when I’m dead. At this rate, it will be soon!”
A friend added: “Dolly has been told it isn’t healthy for her to deprive herself of needed sleep, and when she has problems emotionally, they’re just compounded by being exhausted.
“It’s a horrible mix and, in Dolly’s case, even deadly.”
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Photo credit: GETTY
All these issues have sparked fears for her future as a performer, according to pals.
“Dolly’s last big tours in 2014 and 2016 beat the stuffing out of her,” the friend said.
“Getting up on stage has always been Dolly’s lifeblood, but now she’s feeling every one of her years. She fears she’ll never be able to
handle another tour — and for Dolly, that’s like a death sentence!”
After reviewing recent videos of Dolly at The National ENQUIRER’s request, New York internist Dr. Stuart Fischer noted the 9 to 5 star sometimes slurs her words.
“Speech depends in part on circulation, which depends on the state of our arteries. If the speech area in the left side of the brain is affected, words can be slurred or forgotten,” Dr. Fischer told The ENQUIRER.
“A stroke or ‘ministroke’ can damage the brain cells controlling speech. This may be an explanation.”
Florida-based physician Dr. Gabe Mirkin added: “The odds are she had Bell’s palsy, a sudden paralysis of the muscles on the side of her face.
“In most people, this leads to some residual weakness for the rest of their lives.”
The eight-time Grammy winner — who’s sold more than 100 million albums and built a $500 million fortune — has long wrestled with inner demons, sources said.
“Dolly’s family suffered from a history of depression, so she’s always been mindful of it,” a friend revealed.
“One thing that’s helped her, along with prayer and meditation, is she’s been sharp as a tack.
“But lately, she sometimes feels like she’s unraveling. Things that used to come naturally she can no longer remember. Little worries now consume her for days.”
According to insiders, Dolly “has come a long way” since falling into a dark hole after a 1984 partial hysterectomy ended her hopes of starting a family with hubby Carl Dean.
More recently, she’s been left reeling by the drug overdose death of 36-year-old niece Tever Parton in 2017, and the losses of pal Burt Reynolds and her brother Floyd last year.
“Dolly has found that it’s often one step forward, two steps back [when it comes to] dealing with her depression,” added her friend. “Since she turned 70, it gets harder and harder for her to rise above it.”
She’s also been plagued by insomnia. “I sleep, you know, three hours — five hours is a long night for me,” Dolly has admitted. “I’m up more hours than most. I figure I’ll sleep when I’m dead. At this rate, it will be soon!”
A friend added: “Dolly has been told it isn’t healthy for her to deprive herself of needed sleep, and when she has problems emotionally, they’re just compounded by being exhausted.
“It’s a horrible mix and, in Dolly’s case, even deadly.”
Photo credit: Mirrorpix / MEGA
All these issues have sparked fears for her future as a performer, according to pals.
“Dolly’s last big tours in 2014 and 2016 beat the stuffing out of her,” the friend said.
“Getting up on stage has always been Dolly’s lifeblood, but now she’s feeling every one of her years. She fears she’ll never be able to
handle another tour — and for Dolly, that’s like a death sentence!”
