Catherine Zeta-Jones, who stunned fans when she revealed she was recently treated at a mental health facility for bipolar II disorder, went public to encourage others who are suffering to seek help.
In early April 2011, Zeta-Jones spent five days at the Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan, Conn., after suffering prolonged periods of depression combined with periods of mania.
'There Is No Need to Suffer Silently'
"This is a disorder that affects millions of people and I am one of them," Catherine, 41, told People. "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."
Bipolar disorder, which afflicts about 6 million Americans, is marked by extremes in elevated or irritable moods with periods of depression.
Bipolar II disorder patients experience more prolonged periods of depression, with less elevated manic stages.
Experts say episodes of bipolar II disorder can be triggered by extreme stress, such as what Catherine experienced when husband Michael Douglas, 66, underwent surgery and treatment for stage IV throat cancer last year.
While Douglas was declared cancer-free in January 2011, Zeta-Jones was understandably rattled by the draining experience.
"The simple things would just seem overwhelming, like going out to dinner," says a friend. "There was just a little piece of her chipped away. It was hard to watch because I knew how hard she was trying."
Catherine Now Being Treated With Medication
Zeta-Jones, the mother of Dylan, 10, and daughter Carys, 8, decided to check into a mental hospital before returning to work on two films this spring. After spending a week in the facility and through continued treatments with medication, Catherine is now better.
Dr. Soroya Bacchus, a California psychiatrist who hasn't treated Zeta-Jones, applauds her candor in going public with the illness.
"I think Catherine Zeta-Jones has broken a huge taboo by actually talking about bipolar," he said. "This is a serious illness that affects a good 2%-3% percent of the population.
"To actually talk about it...is a heroic thing to do. That kind of heroism inspires people to talk about their own issues and maybe seek treatment."
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