LOS ANGELES, USA - A week after calling police, then being escorted from her home and placed under psychiatric supervision, actress Mischa Barton is "making improvements" and will get back to work later this month, her publicist told People.

Barton, 23, the former star of teen drama The O.C., is cast as a pill-popping model in a new series, The Beautiful Life.

Specific details about her condition were not available, but rumours have been swirling that she had gone on a three-day cocaine binge, brought on by financial woes, and was on suicide watch.

Barton's publicist told the San Francisco Chronicle that those rumours were "preposterous" and that the actress is "still seeking treatment".

She plans to return to work on The Beautiful Life, which is scheduled to begin production next Friday.

Friends of Barton have revealed that the star is "dealing with personal issues" and has been on "a destructive path" for a while.

A source told People that she has left Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and is recuperating at home.

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