Carey Under 'Psychiatric Care'

Aug. 1 -- Mariah Carey is under psychiatric care following last week's hospitalization, which her publicist now says was the result of an "emotional and physical breakdown."

The 31-year-old singer, who has canceled all public appearances,including her headlining appearance at tonight's MTV 20thbirthday party, checked herself into an undisclosed hospital lastweek. At the time, her spokeswoman Cindi Berger said Carey wassuffering from "extreme exhaustion."

But today, Berger told The Associated Press: "She hassuffered an emotional and physical breakdown … she is underpsychiatric care."

Spokesman Denies Carey Attempted Suicide

Berger denied tabloid reports that Carey tried to commitsuicide. She said that just before the breakdown, Carey sufferedcuts to her body, but the injuries were unintentional.

"She did break some dishes and glasses, and she may havestepped on them," Berger said.

Carey's breakdown comes at perhaps the most critical point inher 11-year career. The singer signed a multimillion-dollarcontract with Virgin Records in April after leaving ColumbiaRecords, where she got her start.

She'll star in a movie for the first time when Glitter,about an aspiring pop star, opens later this month. She alsoperformed the songs for the movie soundtrack.

But it's doubtful Carey will be able to promote either project.Berger could not say when Carey might be released.

"I'm taking it one day at a time, but right now she is restingand improving," said Berger.

Just before her hospitalization, Carey left two despondent messages on her official Web site, complaining of being overworkedand getting too little attention from her new record label. Shesaid she wanted to close her management company and take a break,but Berger said nothing has changed and her management remains thesame.

Bizarre MTV Appearance

Last month, Carey made a surreal impromptu appearance on MTV'sTotal Request Live, dressed in little more than a lavenderT-shirt and pushing an ice cream cart filled with popsicles for theteen audience. She also made a publicity appearance at a LongIsland mall, where her publicist took a microphone away from her toprevent her from speaking.