[Bobbarita]

Long post...I don't recall which celebrity first "came out of the closet" about BP. Was it Patty Duke? Vivian Leigh pre-dated Patty, it was Manic Depression then...Doesn't really matter but this Hollywood divorce stirred up some thoughts and feelings in me. I was correctly diagnosed in 2007 as BP1. I thought I came to terms with my diagnosis quickly, but the impact of being secretive about it lurked around me. Who knew, who didn't know, who should never know, etc. And these feelings have vastly increased.

My BP dx did change my marriage, but it was far less important than other relationship/marital issues that pre-dated my BP, so I've just divorced after 20 years of marriage. I got an attorney, served the papers, etc. And the "initial attack" by the opposing party was the battle cry "SHE'S BIPOLAR! BIPOLAR! SHE'S MANIC!"

I didn't deny I was BP, I had been seeing a P-Doc, was compliant with meds, etc. P-doc did a "chart summary" by appointment dates, and I had been keeping mood charts, (documentation), of my zig-zag mood pattern which correlated with the increased marital strife . It was not rocket science to deduce that if I didn't have the courage to end the marriage, ie. get away from him, he would be instrumental in exacerbating either mania or depression which no combination, increase, or change of meds would help. So said my pdoc. And I knew he was right.

I was not about to medicate myself more with drugs. The pdocs documentation along with the mood charts "proved" my BP had very little to do with anything. What it demonstrated was the arguments, (initiated 95% by my ex who had anger/rage/temper issues), built up the stressful environment, in which BP's do not do well. Also demonstrated that when the ex was gone for a week or so my mood was level and there were no problems. Pdoc said I was not manic, which I wasn't.

At any rate, beginning to date various gentleman, the conversation tonight turned to "current events" and I listened quietly and nodded as my date discussed BP, or "his understanding" of it. I didn't mention anything about myself.

Obviously news coverage of Catherine's admitted BP was more that we, the ordinary people BPer's will receive, but due to my personal experiences I am retiring to the back of the closet. I only share it with other BP friends. I feel sorry for Catherine Zeta-Jones. I suspect Michael is no "charm" to deal with either. He understands cancer and remission. It baffles me that some others whose ailments and illnesses can only be well controlled, not "cured" do not seem to understand this about BP. I do hope that it is only press sensationlism that is quoting Michael Douglas somehow attributing his throat cancer to Catherine's BP. If so, in my opinion that is horrid and untrue.

[awillz12]

That's been one of the hardest things for me to figure out with my recent diagnosis of BP II (4 months ago) is do you tell people or not. Luckily my family has been super supportive, which wasn't surprising because my older sister was diagnosed BP three years ago. The friends I have told have been wonderful, but I've always known that I've had great friends. But outside of my family and then a handful of friends, I haven't told anyone mainly because of the stigma attached to BP. I don't have any BP friends so no one completely understands which is why I joined this place. I think the news coverage of Catherine's BP treatment is unnecessary and has actually fed into the stereotypes that people have about BP. It really frustrates me.

[BipolaRNurse]

I am openly bipolar and always willing to educate people about mental illness whenever the opportunity presents itself. But it's MY choice---I wasn't "outed" by the media, as CZJ was when first treated for her bipolar 2. I can't imagine living the goldfish bowl existence of a celebrity; I think I'd be far crazier than I am if I'd checked into a mental hospital and had to deal with the public the instant I got out.

I feel bad for Catherine too; I've always liked her as an actress and I think her husband's talk about oral sex and throat cancer was WAAAAAY TMI. Not to mention low-class and vulgar....I'd probably have divorced him just for that!

there's nothing wrong with not telling people around you. I mean honestly, are we really supposed to stand on the street corner with a sign informing everyone that we have a mental illness? Or put a stamp on our foreheads? Lol... hell no. And you should never feel obligated or pressured to tell anyone that you don't want to.

It's good that you are talking about it. And that you have found a place to do so. I don't really keep up with current events and the media and such.. but I wouldn't base much of what I do personally on what a celebrity does.

[venusss]

Yeah, I agree... why tell? It's not like you are sneaky to friends.

I really don't go around "hey, I am Venus, I am bipolar, have scolios, low blood pressure, anxiety issues, bruise easily and my knee hurts like hell before it rains".

As for Catherine... not sure if I like her or buy into her being truly bipolar. She may be suffering plain old "cracked under Hollyweird presure" so many before her did. Put average person in the circus... and they will start showing issues.

[bunnifoo]

Isn't doubting if Catherine Zeta Jones diagnosis similar to someone telling you , "Are you sure you're really sick? Isn't it just stress. You just need to relax!"

We don't know the full story, she may have had symptoms for years that she was either able to manage or deal with until her life got really stressful.

The only thing in the news I can find about Michael Douglas "blaming" his wife for his cancer was saying it was from HPV from oral sex but not specifying who gave him HPV. I don't know how long it takes for HPV to cause cancer in the throat, but in cervical cancer it can take something like 10-15 years before the pre cancerous lesions turn cancerous, but sometimes it can take longer. And in throat cancer it can increase the risk, not just cause it.

But there's nothing that I've read where he's blaming her bipolar disorder.

It's hard to say who was the first movie star or celebrity to be the first to talk about it. Until the studio system was broken Hollywood studios had strict control over directors,actors and actresses in their systems and not just over what projects they could and couldn't do but also their personal image.

[venusss]

Nah, I don't think it's the same. She didn't come over and tell me this over a coffee with "please don't tell anybody". I just heard from media and it didn't add up (somebody said she must be on wonderful meds that don't cause her to gain weight as it happens to ordinary bipolars... and she bounced back bit too quickly for it too be truly bipolar).

I don't know. She talked about it and I have mind to judge her, just like I -passingly- judge other celebs on their bodies, hair, bodyfriends, outfits. Let me tell you, when I finish typing it, CZJ will be out of my mind, until I next check this thread, eh.

I guess I am just bit tired of hearing her name thrown around in connection with bipolar, along with that Disney startlet... can't recall name.

[bunnifoo]

How do you know she bounced back quickly? I don't know anything about CZJ, she may be seeing a therapist every single day for all we know. Some people don't gain weight on certain meds, I know some people gain weight taking Lithium but I haven't.

My personal experiences with my bipolar disorder don't seem typical to a lot of posters here so does that mean I don't really have it and it doesn't add up?

A big issue that comes up on this board is the stigma of mental illness. People with bipolar disorder don't want to talk about it because of the stigma. So now that famous people are it's bad thing?

[venusss]

stigma. shtigma. Tbh. CZJ and the like adds to why I don't wanna talk about my issues.

It's not necesarilly a bad thing they talk about their experience... I just don't like how it's done. Many times it's watered down, simplified version... I prefer raw stories of real people who cannot afford bestestest shrinks and facilities out there. CZJ wasn't dehumanized and humilititated during her hospital stay, I am sure. She doesn't have to face bad care versus no care... It doesn't help the public understanding that CZJs and Britney's and Disney starlets are out....

[unaluna]

I really thought michael douglas was NOT attributing his hpv to czj, but rather to unknown girls he used to run with in his wilder days before he took up with her. I also immediately made the connection to czj, but I think he clarified that pretty quickly that it wasnt her. I'm not a fan of hers but then I saw her in this one movie about a restaurant and I was like, oh that was czj? I rather liked her in the role.

[bunnifoo]

Of course it's watered down because of the format in which her story is told.

I guess my bipolar disorder and my experiences don't count and I shouldn't talk about them because, by your definition, they aren't "raw and real". I've only been hospitalized twice, neither times I was dehumanized or humiliated during my stay (well, except there was a clique of patients who took a dislike to me) but the doctors and staff treated me well and actually listened to what was going on.

I'm fortunate to have had a father who ended up with a career where he made decent money and could afford health insurance and then could afford to help pay for it and support me when I wasn't able to work. I've never had to face bad care vs no care.

[deelooted]

Lol... we never get the fulls scope on the celebs, so why would we on this? One thing I find interesting, though, is what the intention is with CZJ's media romp about her illness?

[Arwen_78]

I've not a big person on reading about celebs personal life's! I just get sick of how they spin them. Plus, the people who pay money for any story to sell a magazine. Sorry it's just how I look at it.

[bunnifoo]

She hasn't been in the news recently talking about it. And I know at one point in an interview she said she didn't want to talk about having bipolar disorder or being a victim of mental illness.

Here's the quote:
She said: 'You know what? I’m sick of talking about it because I never wanted to be the poster child for this [bipolar].
'I never wanted this to come out publicly. It came out,' she added emphatically.

In the same interview she also said 'We all have issues in our life and I’m really lucky that I have great friends, great support and that’s all I can do.'

and:

'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.'
'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.'

That's from an interview on Good Morning America.

Basically it seems like the intention was - something she wanted to keep private became public so she decided to talk about it. Probably so there wouldn't be rumors floating around and then she doesn't want to talk about it.

I guess I'm confused because people in this thread seem to not want a stigma for mental illness but do want a stigma for famous people with mental illness.

[deelooted]

Originally Posted by bunnifoo

Basically it seems like the intention was - something she wanted to keep private became public so she decided to talk about it. Probably so there wouldn't be rumors floating around and then she doesn't want to talk about it.

thank you for clearing that up for me I get the same feel from her words

[htebsiL radnalaS]

Originally Posted by Bobbarita

ORIGINAL POST
Long post...I don't recall which celebrity first "came out of the closet" about BP. Was it Patty Duke? Vivian Leigh pre-dated Patty, it was Manic Depression then...Doesn't really matter but this Hollywood divorce stirred up some thoughts and feelings in me. I was correctly diagnosed in 2007 as BP1. I thought I came to terms with my diagnosis quickly, but the impact of being secretive about it lurked around me. Who knew, who didn't know, who should never know, etc. And these feelings have vastly increased.

My BP dx did change my marriage, but it was far less important than other relationship/marital issues that pre-dated my BP, so I've just divorced after 20 years of marriage. I got an attorney, served the papers, etc. And the "initial attack" by the opposing party was the battle cry "SHE'S BIPOLAR! BIPOLAR! SHE'S MANIC!"

I didn't deny I was BP, I had been seeing a P-Doc, was compliant with meds, etc. P-doc did a "chart summary" by appointment dates, and I had been keeping mood charts, (documentation), of my zig-zag mood pattern which correlated with the increased marital strife . It was not rocket science to deduce that if I didn't have the courage to end the marriage, ie. get away from him, he would be instrumental in exacerbating either mania or depression which no combination, increase, or change of meds would help. So said my pdoc. And I knew he was right.

I was not about to medicate myself more with drugs. The pdocs documentation along with the mood charts "proved" my BP had very little to do with anything. What it demonstrated was the arguments, (initiated 95% by my ex who had anger/rage/temper issues), built up the stressful environment, in which BP's do not do well. Also demonstrated that when the ex was gone for a week or so my mood was level and there were no problems. Pdoc said I was not manic, which I wasn't.

At any rate, beginning to date various gentleman, the conversation tonight turned to "current events" and I listened quietly and nodded as my date discussed BP, or "his understanding" of it. I didn't mention anything about myself.

Obviously news coverage of Catherine's admitted BP was more that we, the ordinary people BPer's will receive, but due to my personal experiences I am retiring to the back of the closet. I only share it with other BP friends. I feel sorry for Catherine Zeta-Jones. I suspect Michael is no "charm" to deal with either. He understands cancer and remission. It baffles me that some others whose ailments and illnesses can only be well controlled, not "cured" do not seem to understand this about BP. I do hope that it is only press sensationlism that is quoting Michael Douglas somehow attributing his throat cancer to Catherine's BP. If so, in my opinion that is horrid and untrue.

First YAY! for how you, your pdoc and the legal system supported a realistic assessment of what it means to have a BP dx... Stress. Stress. Stress. Let's say, for example, another woman in your shoes without a psych dx might have turned to some addiction to cope with the stress of being around your ex. Bottom line, stress affects every single being. How we respond, how our body/spirit/mind responds to it, is uniquely individual...

I agree that it is &$*^#@ media sensationalism that has twisted things to imply that MDouglas said his cancer was caused by her BP. (I remember him clarifying another media *&%$# saying he doesn't believe his cancer was caused by any HPV dx). It actually really pisses me off though because we do NOT need any more ignorance attached to the BP dx especially.

And after reading some of the follow-up posts, I understand being tired of hearing CZJ in the same sentence as BP. For me I'm annoyed in part because while I do think that when public people go public about some stigmatized thing, it can help the rest of us private citizens... but only when they take it on as a badge of honor and spokesperson, when it is done in a positive light... CZJ's reluctance to say much about it is clear evidence she was media-outed. That, in and of itself was and will always be the *&%@# media's poison. I appreciate that she hasn't denied it or spoken about BP in any negative sense...

I also agree that to question her dx is no different than questioning my dx. In 1990 I had my first and only manic episode. I've had plenty of manageable hypo-manic episodes since then. Don't compare my insides to other people's outsides... I live in Los Angeles. I actually feel/see/live in this superficial fake Hollywood mentality... I'm not "in the biz" as they say here so I see more of this Hollywood effect because I'm on the outside looking at the bigger picture (pun intended)... Is it a coincidence or this environment that has engraved this in my mind:
Don't compare my insides to other people's outsides...
Don't compare my insides to other people's outsides...
Don't compare my insides to other people's outsides...

I'm not surprized that when we see her CZJ presents herself very well... SHE'S A HOLLYWOOD ACTOR! That's what they're skilled at! A C T I N G! We see her when she knows she will be getting videotaped/interviewed/filmed... Of course she doesn't fit any BP stereotype (whatever that is...) For me, she represents a stable successful, intelligent, beautiful, creative, classy woman who has the same dx that I have.

And then on the flip side, when the Brittany Spears' and the like, have had public emotional mental break downs, we judge them.

So today I make a promise to myself: I am going to stop judging anyone who seems to share any similarity to what I like to refer to as my sensitive brain... We come in all shapes, sizes, colors, incomes, intellect, genders, cultures, professions, home-status, education, weight gain, work status, abilities, disabilities, coping skills, etc etc etc...

Originally Posted by VenusHalley

(somebody said she must be on wonderful meds that don't cause her to gain weight as it happens to ordinary bipolars... and she bounced back bit too quickly for it too be truly bipolar).

I am on 5mg Zyprexa and severely underweight. It is not causing weight gain now, but 10mg previously made me just tip over into the normal weight range. So not gaining weight on bipolar meds is possible.

[venusss]

I guess my bipolar disorder and my experiences don't count and I shouldn't talk about them because, by your definition, they aren't "raw and real". I've only been hospitalized twice, neither times I was dehumanized or humiliated during my stay (well, except there was a clique of patients who took a dislike to me) but the doctors and staff treated me well and actually listened to what was going on.

nah, that's not what I mean. But compare K.flay or Emilie Autumn... or even Alanis Morissette (I know she is not bipolar, but she's been troubled certainly) and their expressions to Catherine's bipolar on red carpet. I just don't buy it. It's not about her, but about her narrative... and I don't buy it.

Btw, I never been hospitalized... that's not what makes you real. It's not about pissing contests of who's got it worse... But I can relate to Emilie Autumn. Or the beatnik authors when they talk about how to sucks to be in your skin. I can't relate to CZJ's poses on red carpet and bipolar as tagline.

[~Christina]

I don't understand the hype about CZJ .. So what she has BpII ..Big deal I know loads of people that have BP and they are much more impressive than her.

I dunno I just don't get it

[Skittles56]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

I don't understand the hype about CZJ .. So what she has BpII ..Big deal I know loads of people that have BP and they are much more impressive than her.

I dunno I just don't get it

It gives the talking heads something to spend time on. They can breathlessly beatify her for how brave she is to bring public awareness to this "terrible disorder." Meanwhile, the end result is that everyone still thinks we're crazy.

I can empathize with anyone who is bipolar, but I don't see how a celebrity brings anything extra to the table.