Britney Spears arrest, concerned fans and why what we say matters

Britney Spears\u00a0fans are concerned for the singer yet again after she was arrested in California for allegedly\u00a0driving under the influence.

Britney Spears fans are concerned for the singer yet again after she was arrested in California for allegedly driving under the influence.

This isn't the first time the Grammy-winning pop star, 44, has sparked mixed reactions from fans, including worry. And while therapists say these reactions are normal and to be expected, there are more appropriate ways to share concern about someone, especially one you've never met.

"Because we are caring, empathic humans, we're going to be concerned about someone − and that's OK," psychotherapist Stephanie Sarkis previously told USA TODAY. "When you are observing someone from a distance in that type of scenario, people can feel helpless, like they want to be able to help, but they don't know how."

Previously, Spears' social media posts, like one in which she appeared to dance with knives, also had fans talking. Some fans also feel particularly protective over the star due to the legal battle to free her from her conservatorship, which kicked off the #FreeBritney movement. But it's important to remember that Spears' mental health has long been a topic of deep, and oftentimes inappropriate, scrutiny and speculation.

Because mental health remains such a sensitive subject − and also because you really can't make assumptions about what anyone else is going through − it's important to focus your comments more on your own experience rather than someone else's.