Catherine Zeta-Jones has entered a mental facility to seek treatment for Bipolar II Disorder, her representative confirmed to People. The Oscar-winning actress decided to seek help after undergoing extreme mental stress during her husband, Michael Douglas’, recent battle with cancer. The star spent five days at Silver Hill Hospital, a $1,000-a-night hospital specializing in psychiatric disorders and substance abuse, located in a secluded area of Connecticut.
“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,” her publicist said in a statement. “She’s feeling great and looking forward to starting work this week this week on her two upcoming films.”
Bipolar disorder is characterized by unusual shifts in one’s mood or energy, and is often referred to as manic-depressive illness. There are roughly six million Americans suffering from the disorder who experience a quick shift in emotions ranging from extreme euphoria to severe depression. Bipolar II Disorder differs from Bipolar I in that it is typically triggered by major life changes, and often involves longer periods of depression, and less dramatic elevated mood swings.
After a long, grueling public battle with cancer, Zeta-Jones’ husband, Michael Douglas, confirmed in January he had beaten stage 4 throat cancer through chemotherapy and radiation.
“There’s no question it’s been a stressful year,” a friend of the actress told People. “Catherine has had to deal with Michael’s illness and that’s been hard. 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.”
Zeta-Jones and Douglas married in 2000. The couple has two children, Dylan, age 10, and Carys, age 7.