Justin Bieber has had a rough month so far, but he assures that it's just part of growing up -- which he's still doing, even if he's still sometimes acting years younger than his already tender age.

The 19-year-old phenom (again) lashed out at reports that he's on a downward spiral and headed for a meltdown.

"I know who I am and I'm not gonna let negativity towards me bring me down," the Canuck told Us Weekly.

"I'm a positive person and I plan on staying that way," Bieber said. "This business can break you down, but I have a strong team around me, and my family and all the fans. The love overcomes the negativity. I'm not perfect but I'm growing and trying to be better everyday. That's part of life."

The interview comes on the heels of Bieber allegedly getting into an altercation with a neighbor. Though accounts vary (his neighbor says he got physical, while Bieber's camp swears he didn't), it's clear that the two don't get along well.

The problems began when Bieber raced his Ferrari through their Calabasas, Calif. neighborhood in the morning when kids were home for spring break, causing a pretty serious threat to safety and sanity in the area.

Bieber's neighbor told cops that the 'Believe' singer spit in his face and threatened to kill him, and TMZ reports that the district attorney is taking it seriously.

Because, you know, spitting is bad. And a health risk, even if millions of pre-teen girls would line up for such abuse from the Biebs.

Still, Justin may have had reason to dislike the dude and be wary of his other neighbors as well. Radar Online reports that a particular female neighbor tried to sell photos of the star in the past -- and that she's tight with the guy who called the cops on him.

"This neighbor told people that Justin moving into the neighborhood was a chance to make money by selling photos of him,” a source said of the nosy femme. “And that got back to Justin, who put in hedges to block the view."

“The neighbor also said money could be made by selling information and that the neighbor already had a direct pipeline to several media outlets.”

As for the alleged fight, Radar's source has their own take as well.

“This guy ran onto Justin’s property, trespassing, and screaming so Justin went inside and let his security handle it," the source explained. "A lot of crazy people have threatened to harm Justin in the past."

“When someone comes charging onto his property, that’s something he has to be worried about and that’s why he has security.”

Fair enough, right?

Still, the Biebs has sought solace in the arms of none other than Selena Gomez, who frequently disses him in the press. Is he a masochist or something?

Justin reportedly spent an hour at Gomez's home yesterday afternoon (March 27), though it's unclear what actually went down during the visit.

All in all, Bieber's behavior may be less than stellar, but it may not be because he's a jerk. It may just be because he's 19 and acting that way.

"I'm young and I want to have fun," he griped. "I don't think there is anything wrong with that."

And he's right. There isn't -- as long as your keep your saliva (and possibly vehicular manslaughter charges) to yourself.

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