Actress Catherine Zeta-Jones is returning to in-house treatment for Bipolar II disorder, a move that the actress's rep referred to as proactive. Zeta-Jones has been open about seeing treatment for the disorder, which is described by the DSM-IV as "recurrent episodes of depression and hypomania." She was admitted to a private health care facility in 2011, after her husband Michael Douglas went into remission for Stage IV throat cancer.
Zeta-Jones's openness has mental health care professionals and advocates hopeful that it will inspire others to seek treatment. She announced through a statement in 2011, " "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 is worth it. There is no need to suffer silently and there is no shame in seeking help." According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness last year, "[t]he latest research suggests that less than one-half of people living with bipolar disorder receive mental health treatment."
Although it's not necessary that actors or other celebs reveal their personal struggles, it helps destigmatize mental health issues and can even help others realize what they're feeling can be treatable.
The Oscar-winner was in Steven Soderbergh's "Side Effects" earlier this year. Her next movie, "Red 2," will hit theaters July 19.
[via People]
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