http://www.popeater.com/2011/04/20/catherine-zeta-jones-bipolar-disorder/

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

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.popeater.com/media/2011/04/1303313295856.jpeg

After checking herself into a mental-health facility to treat her bipolar II disorder,

Catherine Zeta-Jones (http://www.popeater.com/celebrities/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 (http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20483309,00.html). "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 (http://www.popeater.com/celebrities/michael-douglas/)' side as he battled throat cancer (http://www.popeater.com/2010/08/16/michael-douglas-tumor/). And while her husband, 66, was able to beat the disease and was declared cancer free (http://www.popeater.com/2011/01/11/michael-douglas-cancer-today-show-matt-lauer-video/) 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 (http://www.popeater.com/2010/04/20/cameron-douglas-sentenced-prison/) on drug charges and sentenced to five years in prison. Her husband was also being sued (http://www.popeater.com/2010/06/28/michael-douglas-ex-wife-diandra-sues/) 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 (http://www.popeater.com/celebrities/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 (http://twitter.com/ddlovato/status/58620877209743360). "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.

good for her. i'm glad she's not letting this hold her down. :)

God bless Catherine. As a long-time sufferer of depression and anxiety, I can relate with some of her feelings. I hope things only get better for her from here and that she will be able to help others with her story.

I wish only the best for her. I know couples who have divorced while dealing with serious illnesses. Some people just can't take it. I commend Catherine for her love and loyalty to her husband. I hope that she can overcome this disorder and have a full happy life.

She shouldn't feel any shame. She has a medical condition. And Hopefully by being so open about it she will help other Bipolar people not to feel shame either.

What a strong woman!!!

Good luck to her. I hope things turn out well for her.

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There's no shame in mental illness, or at least shouldn't be. We all understand and empathize with someone who suffers from cancer or another physical illness, but we treat mental ilness differently, for whatever reason.

It's time for us all to come out of the Dark Ages and treat these disorders with the same type of sympathy.

^ Oh, I know. It's terrible. At least people like Patty Duke, Mike Wallace, Marie Osmond, Brooke Shields, Maurice Benard (General Hospital) and others have come forward with their own struggles like CZJ has. Then you have people like singer Donny Hathaway, Brenda Benet (Days of Our Lives, also the ex-wife of Bill Bixby) and Elizabeth Hartman (A Patch of Blue) who suffered from such overwhelming depression that they took their own lives. Would society rather deal with mental health issues that way??? :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

I'm really proud of Ms. Jones in being so open in regards to her illness. I think it shows the public that even famous people can suffer from emotional disorders and that there is nothing to be ashamed of.

Michael Douglas Says Catherine Zeta-Jones Was "Outed" for Bipolar Disorder
Apr 26, 2011
by Kate Stanhope


Catherine Zeta-Jones has been publicly commended for coming out with her bipolar disorder by the likes of Demi Lovato and Jane Pauley, but according to husband Michael Douglas, it wasn't her choice to discuss her diagnosis publicly.

"Catherine's being quite open about it because she was outed," Douglas, 66, said on Tuesday's "Oprah Winfrey Show".

According to Douglas, his wife "went to get some help, and some other patient probably said, 'Hey, you won't believe who's in here now.' So, once that happens, I think she felt best to get out her story."





Zeta-Jones' rep released a statement earlier this month stating that the Oscar winner, 41, was seeking treatment for Bipolar II disorder. She appeared on the cover of People magazine days later to talk about her diagnosis.

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Zeta-Jones-Outed-Bipolar-1032369.aspx