Catherine Zeta-Jones Has 'No Shame' in Bipolar II Diagnosis

By Kiki Von Glinow Posted Apr 20th 2011 12:14PM

After checking herself into a mental-health facility to treat her bipolar II disorder, Catherine Zeta-Jones has no qualms with the media attention surrounding her recent diagnosis.

"This is a disorder that affects millions of people and I am one of them," Zeta-Jones told PEOPLE. "If my revelation of having bipolar II has encouraged one person to seek help, then it is worth it. There is no need to suffer silently and there is no shame in seeking help."

It was reported last week that Zeta-Jones checked into Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan, Conn., for treatment of the disorder.

Brought on by depressive or manic bouts, a person with bipolar II disorder can still be a high-functioning individual but suffers dramatic mood changes caused by stress, anxiety or insomnia.

According to Zeta-Jones, 41, she decided to get help after "suffering silently" by husband Michael Douglas' side as he battled throat cancer. And while her husband, 66, was able to beat the disease and was declared cancer free in early 2011, his wife slipped deeper into the throws of her own disorder.

According to People and a close friend of Zeta-Jones, the actress's depression was evident: "The simple things would just seem overwhelming, like going out to dinner. There was just a little piece of her chipped away. It was hard to watch because I knew how hard she was trying."

But being the wife of a cancer patient wasn't all the raven-haired beauty was dealing with. She was mothering her children Dylan and Carys, while her stepson, Cameron Douglas, was convicted on drug charges and sentenced to five years in prison. Her husband was also being sued by his ex-wife, who claimed she was owed a portion of his 'Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps' income. "Stressful" seems too small of a word to characterize Zeta-Jones' mental state.

But after Douglas was declared cancer free and was safe at home recuperating, it was time for Zeta-Jones to get the help she needed -- a move that was applauded by many of her Hollywood colleagues and fans.

Disney star, Demi Lovato, who also suffered from depression, took to Twitter to send Zeta-Jones her well wishes: "I don't know Catherine Zeta-Jones but what she has decided to do is SO brave," Lovato tweeted. "And SO difficult but worth it ... I'm proud of her."

And with the filming start date of her new flick, 'Playing the Field,' looming, Zeta-Jones had to act quickly to get the help she needed.

We have no doubt that Zeta-Jones' candid portrayal of her condition has brought a positive light to a disorder that is treatable if one follows in the actress's footsteps and asks for help.

Tags: catherine zeta-jones

Comments

(216)

Wednesday 20 April

By Vida Nelson

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Not only am I proud of Catherine Zete-Jones but I'm thrilled that she is bringing to light a situation that needs to be changed. I wish we would do away with the "mental illness" tag and call it what it is. It is a physical illness (accent on physical). It has biological origins and, just like many other physical illnesses, can be exascerbated by stress.

My prayers are with Catherine as she so bravely faces this latest setback.

By SuccessfulAuthor

"his wife slipped deeper into the throws of her own disorder."

THROES, not throws

Can't anyone spell anymore?

By camp4bell

She is a brave woman and many will seek help because of her, I'm sure.
BTW snarky one: No one can spell because of our lousy education system, let's fire more teachers!!

By B

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Dear Successful Author,

A bit petty about the "throes"!
Successful people do not need to point it out.

By Louise

I wish Catherine Zeta-Jones the best. She is very brave and helping many people by being open and honest about it. I have a son with schizophrenia and a daughter with severe depression. We always talk openly to everyone we can about it. We have seen many friends and family get help after hearing out story. There is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. If more people would talk openly about it, there wouldn't be so much stigma attached and more people would get help. By the way they are both doing very well on medication. There is help out there, don't be afraid to get it!!!!!!!!!

By aschjs

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

i guess nobody can spell correctly unless they're a "successful author"....buh.dum..dum...rim shot.

By jeff

why are you "proud" of her, Vida? did you have something to do with her success or are you one of her parents?

By kim

some of you are soooooo anal.....did I spell that right?

By sandra

Vida I GOOD FOR YOU, that is exactly what it should be called. Katherine did not decide or cause her illness, just like her husband did not. Society needs to stop this discrimination. I admire her so much for telling everyone about her illness. I admire you for calling it what it is. Thank you

By Laura

You're absolutely right, Vida. These disorders are more often than not, mislabeled. They are chemical imbalances in the brain no different than the diabetic sugar/insulin imbalance. The "mental" should be eliminated and call it what it is, a physical illness.

By tro

Good for her although it is difficult to remember her as ever having outward signs of the disorder. She always seemed so together and well-packaged- at least on the public level. Guess not, apparently, at home.

Now- if only Sheen would give us all a break- and go get some help for himself too.

By brat

to tro, many people that suffer from bipolar or such illnesses know that they are somewhat different in how they deal with things so they try extra hard to feel like they fit in. my daughter deals with bipolar and also borderline personality and she kows that people see her sometimes different especially when she was a teenager when she was diagnosed. all the friends she had from age 3 and went ot school with stopped talking to her because of it. so catherine. good luck and glad you knew you needed the time to focus on yourself.

By MacD

There is nothing for her to be ashamed of. The shame is when someone has been diagnosed with bipolar and refuses to take medication, I know someone like that(a family member ) and believe me you do not want to be around her. She will turn on you like a rattle snake for no reason . Stay clear is easier sad but easier.

By Anna

Actually, there is no shame in not taking the prescibed medications. That, I believe, is part of the illness - the belief that, as you feel okay, you no longer need to take the medications. Eventually, and hopefully, experience will be the teacher and the patient will take the medications despite feeling well.

By trmnatr2

You got that right MACD,I have a relative who stopped meds too,now thats the shame. BipolarII is a lot worse than One but I think she approaches it with the right mindset.Good luck to CZJ and her family and friends.

By jane

The prob we are having with a family member is they do have a prob.The hard part is knowing the family member has a prob and they dont think anything is wrong. I try to tell him you are hearing voices but he thinks its real. Just dont no what to do. He is over 30. I think Katherine is very brave.

By RJD

MacD you are so right. I just went through this with a childhood friend who i hooked up with a year ago. We then started dating and she moved in with me. I really loved her but had no idea how to handle her. I took her to the hospital 3 times and she would never let them admit her. I finally had to ask her to leave and she hates me for it and says i didn't stand by her. She just got out of the hospital after 2 weeks and is on medication but still holds alot of animosity towards me. All i ever wanted was for her to get help so we can have a normal life and now she's really acting out even on the meds. Such a sad and terrible disease

By trish

I am married to some one like that, and I KNOW what you are talking about, the split second personality change is alarming and scarry some times.

By Cappy

Bravo!!!! And may God bless Zeta-Jones and her family!

By karen

REHAB it called a mental facility while we are being honset geeez

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