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 carrowsboy

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Oh please! There are far more important things to worry about than your 72 year old wife slumming it at the local snake pit.

By Sharon

What?

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Stress can trigger depression. Most people cannot afford the treatment that she received.

By Retired Army Brat

Amen! If she ever gets treated like crap for having the audacity to seek help like regular people, she would kill Michael for cowtowing to OPRAH to explain anything. My personal guess. Why in the world would anyone go to Oprah or Baba Wawa to open up about being treated to (not necessarily good) health care for a mental illness????????????

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To: Retired Army Brat

If you don't have health insurance you're are treated like you are nothing, when you call to make an appointment you can't get an appointment with a doctor much less get checked into a facility.

Monday 16 May

Most people are unwilling to have the world discuss their bipolar or any depression issues. It limits their ability to work without constant whispering about their abilities because they are regular people who HAVE TO WORK to pay their psychiatrist, therapist and afford outrageous RX which make them gain hundreds of pounds. All in the name of not wanting to be insane.
I have bipolar and am not wasting anyone's time to hear the reality. If actors would shut up about it, no one would give a care. They need constant attention. Worse than a 3 year old who is helpless without a caring parent or guardian.

By Andy

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she's got to dump that controlling husband of her's and find some friends, I'd suggest go find L King's wife, you marry these old bags you end up paying the price.

By fifiwereking

for all their recent troubles, md and czj appear to have one of the happiest marriages in hollywood... unless you know otherwise, take your sour grapes and choke on them...

By Rhett C. Bowling

Its amazing how low the media and reporters will go to try to make someones life miserable. If it wasn't for bad news, there wouldn't be any news at all.

Hey Media reporters! Everyone on this planet is bipolar. Some just have it worse than others. Go report on something different like how "Man teaches dogs not crap in the front yards!"

By ralph fredericksen

Oh the horror.....did you get that picture?

By jezebelx1

WELL, now that I know you DID NOT want to talk about the Bi-Polar Illness I have to say you two are very selfish.
I have Bi-Polar and struggle w/it every day...I am not getting movie roles nor the support I need from family or friends to 'battle' my illness.
Bi-Polar NEEDS to be RECOGNIZED not shoved into the closet as a seceret like they used to treat people w/mental illness in the past....and MOST people STILL do not accept that Bi-Polar is REAL.
We NEED HELP w/making Bi-Polar acceptable and treat-able in today's world...if famous people can get people to listen and TALK about it...make it a 'cause' just like they did for breast cancer, MS etc. we just might have a better chance at getting the right treatment trickle down to us 'peasant's' so we can live a full life w/o the crippling effect's that Bi-Poar can cause.
HELP US - DON'T HIDE FROM US!!!

By ann

isn't there a hippa violation there

By aeronurse1963

Yes, it is a HIPAA violation, and hopefully the facility where Mrs. Douglas was hospitalized at will find out and fire whoever breached her privacy.

By Cynthia

Yep

By KittyM

No...it is NOT a HIPPA violation. HIPPA pertains to medical personnel and medical records -- not gossip hearsay!

as long as no one else is at risk, people should have an absolute right to medical privacy; however, i was really impressed by czj speaking out about her condition... now, not so much...

I felt the same way. Then it came to light how expensive her treatment would be. And to add insult to injury, today it is known that she was treated for FIVE days. UNHEARD OF.

By Jasi

It so wrong for someone to print something about anyone's health problems. I say an "eye for an eye". Let's dig up all the medical problems of the reporter and the Editor who "outed" her and put it all over the internet. See how they like it!!! It's none of their dam business!!!

By kimbo

and boycott the Enquirer. Money talks.

Catherine has courage. So does her husband. The media has never been kind to anyone suffering challenging struggles.

Catherine is an inspiration and so is her husband.

Michael, you have been held up in prayer for a long time. Take the hint...(smile)

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