It’s been a crazy few years for Welsh actress Catherine Zeta Jones. Husband Michael Douglas developed throat cancer and last April, during his recovery, Catherine was admitted to rehab and diagnosed with bipolar II disorder, a form of manic depression.
Speaking to the US edition of InStyle, she reveals what the last 18 months have been like and wants to get rid of the stigma attached to mental illness.
“I’m not the kind of person who likes to shout out my personal issues from the rooftops but, with my bipolar becoming public, I hope fellow sufferers will know it is completely controllable,” Zeta-Jones said. “I hope I can help remove any stigma attached to it, and that those who don’t have it under control will seek help with all that is available to treat it.”
It hasn’t all been bad since she was diagnosed though. She has learned a lot about herself and the people around her in the process.
“You find out who you really are and who are you are married to,” she said. You find things inside yourself you never imagined were there. I’ve gained an appreciation for little things, like tea outside on a terrace.”
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Posted by Claire Sharp.