Washington, Jan 29 (ANI): Britney Spears friend and manager Sam Lutfi made a call to Barbara Walters to inform her that the troubled singer is seeking treatment from a psychiatrist to help her get through some mental issues that she has been struggling with in the past year.

The 78-year-old journalist cum talk show host said that Lutfis proximity to the 26-year-old pop star makes him a credible source and his call definitely revealed some valuable information.

“There is a man named Sam Lutfi, who is the manager and very good friend of Britney. He has been staying with her constantly. He got in touch with us… I can’t vouch for this… He seemed to be very knowledgeable and he certainly was very nice,” Usmagazine.com quoted Walters, as telling the audience in her show, The View.

She added: “She has been to a psychiatrist. She, I assume, is starting some kind of treatment.

Walters also added that Britney is suffering from lack of sleep and having mood swings that made it necessary for her to seek professional help.

“He said Britney was suffering from what he describes as mental issues which are treatable. He said that she has been to a psychiatrist and … I assume she is starting some kind of treatment. She has been having mood swings. She has been having some kind of trouble sleeping, she said.

Walters said that though the Toxic star has lost visitation rights to her son, Lutfi revealed that she has now got back in touch with her mother Lynne Spears, who is being quite supportive of her. (ANI)