Michael Douglas Says Catherine Zeta-Jones Was 'Outed' in Bipolar Fight

By Rob Shuter Posted Apr 26th 2011 09:05AM

A raspy-voiced Michael Douglas is speaking out about Catherine Zeta-Jones' battle with bipolar II disorder, telling Oprah Winfrey in an interview airing Tuesday that his actress wife's private struggle with depression was cruelly "outed" by the media.

"I must say, Catherine's being quite open about it because she was outed, you know," he said. "She went to go get some help and some other patient probably in there said, 'Hey, you won't believe who's in here now.' And, so, once that happens, I think she felt [it] best to kind of get out the story."

He is referring to the fact that the National Enquirer first reported that Zeta-Jones was in a mental health facility, which then prompted a statement from the actress hours later.

Michael told the talk show queen why she was reluctant at first to talk about her problems.

"My oldest son is in federal prison, my ex-wife is suing me, and I got cancer. It's kind of hard for the wife to say, 'I'm depressed,'" Michael tells Oprah.

Catherine spent a total of five days in a mental health clinic to get help, leading Michael to tell PEOPLE magazine, "It takes a lot of courage to seek help and I am proud of Catherine for doing something positive about her situation. It's onwards and upwards for us."

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

The actress is already back at work and seemed upbeat in Louisiana, where she is filming with Gerard Butler, Uma Thurman and Jessica Biel.

"Catherine is one of a kind," a friend of the Oscar winner tells me. "Of course the couple hoped that this would remain private, but when it became clear the tabloids were going to expose her private business, the two of them, both Catherine and Michael, couldn't have acted in a more classy manner."

The 'Oprah' interview wasn't all about Catherine, however. Michael also provided a positive update on his health struggles, telling O that so far his cancer has not returned.

"This particular type of cancer has a good record of not coming back," he said. "But it can. So for the first year I've got to go every month and get checked in every three months."

Has he gotten checked out and cleared for this month? "I have. I'm cool."

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Tags: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michael Douglas

Comments

(195)

Tuesday 26 April

By k

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Pardon me if I have no sympathy for a billionaire with mood swings. How many kids are growing up in abused homes without enough food? Maybe them, I'll care about.

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Thursday 28 April

By Retired Army Brat

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Thankfully you wrote. I am sick to death of hearing about poor Mrs. Douglas' woes.

Saturday 30 April

k,

EXACTLY!

And our first black first (lady) has the platform of childhood obesity. Did she not catch on that children constantly are bulemic and/or anorexic - dying to be thin?

By fred

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

GOD'S speed michael cathrine

By mirror mirror

Seems that the NEW phase in BOLLYWOOD is to jump on some sort of bandwagon for attention now...Checking into a rehab center for 5 days does NOT make this woman a martyr...What about those that spend MONTHS in a rehab center trying to get their life in order? 5 days and she wants to be the NEW face for this...Granted it will help those with the disease but she should not look to cash in on it...Besides her career was on the downslide and she will pick up sympathy from the likes of the people who feel for her...

By LANCELOT

Zeta Jones is marvelous.
Of course she can be in trouble because like Michael DOUGLAS she is an ignored lefthanded by birth who uses the right hand instead of the left.

By Sue

It's so sad that there's no privacy anymore. I wish them both the best.

By Cindy

Maybe that's because they have chosen a public life! They are sure out there when they want publicity. Can't have it both ways!! Duh!!

By issheablonde

Actually, it is a federal crime (HIPPA) to reveal a person medical history without their written permission. Doesn't matter who does it, it is against the law and they can go after not only the media but also the person(s) who reveal that info to the media.

By KittyM

First of all, HIPPA applies to medical personnel and the disclosure of medical records -- not gossip hearsay, or "he said, she said."

Secondly, being a famous actor or actress does not mean that it is an open invitation to delve into every nook and cranny of one's personal life. Perhaps if people wouldn't pig-snork through every gossip rag site on the web and read such garbage as the Inquirer, there wouldn't be such a demand for this kind of invasive gossip.

By Susan

you want to be famous? that's the price you pay.

By tprakope

I'm sorry, that's not the price you pay for "being famous." They chose the acting profession. They are still entitled to their privacy. No where in the job application does it state that choosing this profession will open every aspect of your private life to debate and spectacle.

By njgirlxxxx

As long as everything is "sunshine and lollipops these celebs have no prolem with everyone knowing their business, as soon as thing don't go good then we are invading their privacy. BS

By Evelyne Lundberg

As always , as opposed to being dignified and remaining silent, michael douglas uses this to attempt to make people feel sorry for him. he is really despicable

By jean

Yes, I dont understand it. We all know what the press is like, just ignore them !

By masanddjs

He is defending his wife..YOU are the despicable one!

By Al

Huh?? Not a nice thing to say. I;m feeling sorry for you..

By notjeff

What's crawling up yours? Using his cancer & his wife's bipolar condition for getting people to feel sorry for him? Are you high?
The tabloids outing both of them & their conditions? They'll has no choice to respond. They didn't cry about it. They didn't ask for contributions. It's Cancer & a psychological disease. Not made up for publicity. And he was asked to be on shows to discuss these issues. Most people care when they hear someone is suffering, not when someone's spewing evil.

By Nick Mayor

And you know Douglas personally to make such a grandiose claim? EVERYONE is entitled to privacy, especially about health information.

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