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 Jez

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It is cruel that she was outed and Im sorry that it is adding to pressure which can lead to panic attacks that are quite unneeded by someone seeking help. however, if not for the chain of events I would have never read the first article that contained the 4th paragraph, "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." Thanks to this I made an appt. for May 3rd. So, here is one person being encouraged. Im not going because a celeb is. Im going because of the content in the article about the disorder itself. Thank you to the author.

By Insight

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The issue I have is that Catherine chose to keep her bipolar silent and only until it was leaked by media did she step up and say...
"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."

It's too bad Catherine "didn't voluntarily speak out to help others" before the media did it for her!!
I admire anyone for speaking out who has the media power to help others not be ashamed of having an illness. Mental illness has such a negative stigma that people like Catherine, "should speak out" to help others with BP. Having bipolar is nothing to be ashamed of, anymore than having cancer, etc., and no one should suffer alone and not seek help. It would have been admirable if Catherine spoke out first without be forced by media. I wish her well!

By Retired Army Brat

Do any one of you admire courage of soldiers US Military having to go back and forth to Iraq & other hot spot war zones because Military is all volunteer? Most people don't go anymore because they know they are replaceable and some of you who are so concerned about an actor's rights don't consider the rights of military risking their necks? You'd much rather feel the pain of actors who make more in a year than a soldier in a life time. Shorter and shorter lifetimes for shallow people to concern themselves with the raw deal CZJ is getting for FINALLY OPENING UP about bipolar? So big deal.
Feel sorry for them because they feel no pain a the pump or buy exotic food they throw away while soldiers are starving. Remember the US Military- do you ever?

By Lisa

You are right, it shouldn't be anything to be ashamed of. I doubt she is ashamed. But, as you can read from these posts, mental illnesses do carry the stigma you mention. People are willing to accept a disability they can see, or one that can be diagnosed clinically (blood tests, xrays etc.), but dismiss mental illnesses as "all in your head," "get over it," "we all get depressed sometimes..." My oldest two children are bi-polar, one a 17 year old girl who has a very hard time of it. Even with medication. So, until you feel that stigma, the looks, the teasing etc. don't tell someone they "should speak out." Anyone, celebrity or not, is owed privacy in their medical matters if they chose it.

By carrie

I have a son who was diagnose with bipolar disorder and Kurt Douglas is right it takes a lot of courage for someone with bipolar to ask for help. They usually will not ask for help and instead will try to self medicate themselves by turning to drugs and alcohol which is so much worse.

Actually, illegal drugs don't benefit Eli Lily and others and don't cause enormous weight gains like Pfizer, etc. If they weren't illegal in America, I'd actually consider going to California for medicinal marijuana. I'd rather have control over how I get help for all the brilliant but flawed misdiagnoses I've received from the brightest psychiatrists who are intent on saving my life.
The only reason I won't go to California is it's filled with people who deny aging - it's scary.

By smc4892

Cat and Michael: no need to discuss. I think, we're all a bit bipolar. When the public starts putting the bread on your table, then it's time to explain yourself.

By Terry

It seems as everyone is bipolar these days ! Could it be that she was drinking and smoking in excess the past several months. Oh no ! Must be bipolar.

By notjeff

Brilliant diagnosis. You must have finished middle school.

By Sylvia

This is so sad,the facility has a policy of what you see and say here..stays here. There are lots of folks who go there to have meds adjusted,etc. they should be allowed to do it in private.

By marilyn

If it weren't for all their dysfunctions and problems with the law that so-called celebrities have, the media wouldn't have anything to write about. They sure couldn't write about these people's talent.There's hardly a movie made worth seeing anymore.One could conclude that Hollywood provides endless fodder...indeed it appears that they flaunt their dysfunctions for publicity. There is something wrong with glorifying dysfunction especially when the younger segment of our population tries to emulate it and did you look at that first picture of Douglas? He looks like a raving lunatic.

By phylliskunz

Catherine Zeta-Jones is only human, that's her problem, the
human condition. I am not trivilizing her situation, but
"Bi-polar" and "schizophrenia" was concocted for the insurance
money.

"were" concocted, an off morning.

Did you look at what you wrote? You ARE trivializing Zeta-Jones' condition.

By mrdaniel64

the media sucks! we dont need to know this kind of stuff about people. she did not rob ,cheat,do anything lude.she has a health problem leave her and anyone that is seeking help alone!

By Mr. Overdone

The media respects no one. These two should just remain silent instead of taking this opportunity to garner pity.

By tony

so many hipocrites on here,spare me if it was lohan you would all be dogging her.so stfu with the freaking pity party!

By Brad

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Speaking as someone who has lived with two different women, each of whom is untreated bipolar, it can be just as hard on the partner of the bipoloar individual, if not harder, than on the bipolar individual themself.

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Did you consider marrying them so they wouldn't feel used by you?

Retired Army Brat: Sorry, not really following you.

Yes, both did use me (physically, emotionally and financially), but how would it have helped that if I had married either??

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