Catherine Zeta-Jones' Bipolar Disorder: Her Private Struggle

people.com:

Absent from the event was his biggest supporter: wife Catherine Zeta-Jones. Hours later, it was revealed that she has quietly sought healing of her own. Her rep says the actress recently checked into a facility for a few days to treat her bipolar II disorder.

Read the whole story: people.com

Comments

[sc00by]

09:23 AM on 04/15/2011

I knew she was crazy when she married that old man.

[Natalie Guerrier]

06:45 PM on 04/19/2011

Wait to go on furthering the stigma around real human suffering. Let's just hope her loved ones insist on the time and space and privacy she needs to truly heal, rather than letting her be picked apart as one more victim of the media (and of ignorant one-liners).

Natalie Guerrier
Mental Health Advocate
www.rockpapershutup.com

[NoSillyName]

02:17 AM on 04/15/2011

That just doesn't read right. "with bipolar"... "disorder" "with being bipolar"... something. Just like when people say, "I have bipolar." s/b "I am bipolar". This language problem didn't exist when it was called "manic depression", and that title led to a great Hendrix song. Image replacing those words with "bipolar". Wouldn't work at all.

Sorry CZJ is struggling, but glad she can afford the best treatment available.

[Joseph Burgo PhD]

05:46 AM on 04/19/2011

I agree. It has to do with the medicalization of mental illness, first of all -- giving it a label and an offical code (just like the ICD-9). I think it also helps relieve the shame that often goes with mental illness: if it's a "disorder" then it's not your fault (it's not your fault in any event, but people often feel as if it is). My concern is that by attaching a label to an emotional problem and making it a medical issue requiring hospitalization and/or meds, it prevents people from grappling with the underlying psychological issues in manic-depressive states of mind.

http://www.afterpsychotherapy.com/bipolar-disorder

[NoSillyName]

12:55 PM on 04/19/2011

I do believe chemical imbalances can cause many thinking disorders, but the science is too young for every M.D. to be handing out psych meds for every patient complaint.

"One pill makes you larger
And one pill makes you small
And the ones that mother gives you
Don't do anything at all"

[libluv235]

12:35 AM on 04/15/2011

I wish her a speedy recovery. My heart goes out to her. Mental Illness has such stigma, hopefully, in the future there will be a cure and more acceptance of this illness. Let's hope that illnesses of the psychiatric kind get parity with the physical illnesses from insurance companies. We just might see fewer homeless on the streets.

[Christian Troy]

12:31 AM on 04/15/2011

O my god! Katherine Zeta Jones is only 41???

[ianmcc]

09:43 PM on 04/14/2011

I applaud her and sympathize with her struggle. I have R-SAD (Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder) which is a more mild form of Bipolar Disorder and only have a small handful of manic days a year, but having to deal with them and maintain your daily regimin is never easy.

[legaleagle4]

09:39 PM on 04/14/2011

I love her wit, her style, her brains -and- her beauty. She's been a favorite of mine for years, and as someone with a so-called mental illness, I respect her more for being open about this. I wish it still didn't take such guts to admit such things in public.

[TheBlondeRaven]

07:53 PM on 04/14/2011

Incredible brave to admit to having biplar in public.

[libluv235]

12:35 AM on 04/15/2011

yes. Thanks Ms Zeta-Jones.

[SouthernYankeeBelle]

08:33 PM on 04/14/2011

What's wrong with you? Didn't you eat your breakfast today? Gosh your terrible. Shame on you. Talk about mental.

[bluejoni2525]

07:36 PM on 04/14/2011

She's a classy lady who has been through a lot lately, I wish her and her husband well !! I also wish the press would just give them some space !!

[SouthernYankeeBelle]

08:34 PM on 04/14/2011

I agree with you. fav.

[SoCalNick]

04:21 PM on 04/14/2011

Certain life events, changes, particularly those that affect the sleep cycle, can trigger symptoms," says Miklowitz. "An event like a loss experience or family conflict can be a cause or a trigger of bipolar episodes."

Having lived with a person with this disorder I know it is very very hard. No Matter how much you care they need to get help. If this is coupled with an anger issue then it can be hopeless. The tough part is getting them to see they need help. In some cases it is impossible.

I am glad she got help and her home life is ok.

That is all

[devilirius]

04:19 PM on 04/14/2011

This is sad. Best wishes and get well.

[Tsakonas]

04:07 PM on 04/14/2011

Most people don't understand Bipolar at all. Essentially, a muscle palpitates in your brain at a steady pace, sending thoughts at a steady pace. When mania kicks in the muscle spasms and thoughts flow fast. A Bipolar person in control can out think anyone, can stay focused and awake much longer, and when it gets too much, the thoughts flow so fast they can't keep up and the breakdown begins. Many famous people were Bipolar including many of the best known geniuses. With proper maintenance, Bipolar can be more of an asset than a liability, yet most of the torch bearing townsfolk only see the guy who went postal and Bipolar was the convenient scape goat, not the individual's situation. Jimi Hendrix, Robin Williams, Einstein, etc. never went postal, but they aren't the sensational face of Bipolar. This pre-existing condition is the only mental disorder that is easily treated by the cheapest, most available medicine on Earth with one of the highest success rates of any treatment for any mental disorder and all 5 health insurance companies in GA refuse anyone with the condition. It's caused by a lack of chemicals in the brain which is no less a physical problem than a diabetic not producing enough insulin. A simple $7 medication keeps it in check. For $7 a month our Health Care system can prevent very costly, deadly results of ignoring this issue, yet we're saving money by turning these people away with no help. Good luck society!

[BannedFromCommenting]

03:42 PM on 04/14/2011

No offense but why did she go PUBLIC with this? I mean for what purpose? Most keep medical issues PRIVATE. Now their kids will be known as the ones with now Bi-Polar mom!!!

I mean seriously, keep your business private, and don't later b!tch that you have no privacy!

[SouthernYankeeBelle]

08:37 PM on 04/14/2011

She went public because of the idiots that love to hound movie stars by snapping pictures of them. I'm sure she would have loved to keep it on the qt but it's better if it comes from her then getting it in the NE.

[libluv235]

12:38 AM on 04/15/2011

glad she didn't just say it was "exhaustion"

[libluv235]

12:37 AM on 04/15/2011

I disagree, bringing her illness out of the closet helps others come forward and thus reduces it's stigma. Thanks CZ

[SouthernYankeeBelle]

07:36 AM on 04/15/2011

The sad thing it could hurt her if she had gone phsyco on everyone but she went and got help unlike Lohan and Sheen both who seem bipolar.

[Kmuzu]

02:35 PM on 04/14/2011

A lot of artists have BP II cause you can stay up like two days straight and maintain creativity and production. Also, unlike BP I you don't go into the manic phase. However, there's a price to be paid .. when you crash.

So, with good CBT you can recognize when that high is setting in and take control before you burn out. I think Jones probably had run through all of her high and was in the crash-n-burn phase.

Just my opinion.

[Kmuzu]

02:30 PM on 04/14/2011

Some good old Cognitive Behavioral, rest and getting back on a normal sleep schedule and she'll be good to go. There really does need to be an upgrade to the brain .. like brain 2.0.