In a move no one expected from Catherine Zeta-Jones, the beautiful 41-year-old actress checked into a mental health care center for treatment of a bipolar disorder.

“After dealing with the stress of the past year, Catherine made the decision to check in to a mental health facility for a brief stay to treat her bipolar II disorder,” publicist Cece Yorke said in a statement.

A friend of the actress told People Magazine that Zeta-Jones spent five days in the undisclosed facility. “Catherine has had to deal with Michael’s illness and that’s been hard,” the friend said. “She went in for a few days because she’s about to start working, and wanted to make sure she’s in top form, which she is.”


In announcing her illness, Zeta-Jones sheds light on the fact that many people are able to manage a successful career and a family life, along with their disorder. She also reminds us that bipolar disorder, which affects 2% to 3% of the U.S. population, exists on a spectrum, and that some forms of the illness are more severe than others.

“Catherine had a lot of trouble coping [with Douglas’ cancer]. She was chain smoking and drinking,” a source close to Zeta-Jones told the National Enquirer.

“It was tearing Catherine apart to see such a vital man as Michael in such a weakened state… I think she was crumbling.”

Zeta-Jones reportedly checked into the Silver Hill Hospital in Connecticut last Wednesday, at $1,250 per day. She has since checked herself out.

The stress for Zeta-Jones has been perpetuated by her husband, Michael Douglas’, brave battle with throat cancer since last August.

With proper treatment, however, most people with bipolar disorder can largely control their mood swings and related symptoms, reducing their severity and relapse. Because it is a lifelong and recurrent illness, people need long-term treatment including both medication and psychotherapy, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

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