Barton was devastated when she learned that her new series was being axed after only two episodes.
The 23-year-old star is afraid her career may be over. "This show was such an ego boost for her at a time when she needed one. She has been insecure about where her career was going and feels she may be a has-been at 23. She hasn’t been overwhelmed with offers since ‘The O.C.’ went off the air," a source revealed to Britain’s Star magazine.
According to sources close to the actress, Barton needs to feel needed, and her biggest fear now is that her phone won’t be ringing.
The producers of The Beautiful Life even asked Barton’s mother, Nuala, to give Mischa the bad news, because they knew she was fragile. Barton collapsed crying in her mother’s arms when she learned the news.
Mischa Barton was under psychiatric care last July.