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April 15th, 2011
12:18 AM ET

Video: Gupta breaks down bipolar II disorder

Editor's note: Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Anderson Cooper discuss Catherine Zeta-Jones' mental illness.
Filed under: Sanjay Gupta
soundoff (5 Responses)
  1. Carolyn Brooks

    My husband and I have been living with a bi-polar teenager now for 6 years. She started at age 13 and still continues with many challenges at the age of 19.

    She was medically diaganosed with this disorder when she was 14 and has been to many doctors and counselors.

    I am so thrilled to see a celebrity come forward with this as it will bring a long overdue awareness to this heartbreaking, horriffic disorder. Unfortunately the
    mentality of most people is that this disorder does not exist and/or are ignorant to it and it's most devestating effects on a family.

    My laymans analysis of the mental health problem is that most people can not understand that there is something wrong with this person because the thought has been that if you can't visually see the problem, such as a cut then a problem doesn't exist.

    Thank you Catherine for your honesty.

    Mother of bi-polar child.

    April 15, 2011 at 4:03 pm |
  2. Karlyn Ritchie

    Anderson &Dr G,

    Thank You for the insightful, sensitive report on Bi-Polar disorder.

    It is a HELL I wish on no one. And make no mistake that is the correct descriptive HELL.
    This is not a declaration of self-pity. It is or was a declaration of Self-HATRED for the lack of the ability to function normally.

    BiPolar is so misunderstood. Anderson, Dr G you both pocess the comunication skills and other expertise to put together a special series on Bi-Polar Disorder. Not just on 360 but a separate special series.You could REACH SO MANY
    PEOPLE WHO ARE SUFFERING but don't know what's wrong, scared, or afraid to get help.

    BTW I finally gathered the nerve to tell my DR. "SHUT UP & LISTEN TO ME. Quit patronizing me. There is someting seriously wrong with me" He was shocked by my assertiveness. But he did what I asked of him. And the diagnosis was made. I can feel life coming back, coursing through my mind & body. Finally.

    So I am urging you in the most vigorous terms , investigate, learn & put together a series on Bi-Polar Disorder.

    I applaude loudly Catherine Zeta-Jones courage to make public her Bi-Polar Disorder.

    April 15, 2011 at 4:00 am |
  3. Lisa Bates in Provo, UT

    As a person who was diagnosed late with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, (which is sort of like bipolar on steroids, lol)

    I would really like to thank you for your presentation, with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, on bipolar II disorder. Your report was interesting and provided information I did not know, and was so refreshingly free of stigma against the mentally ill.

    It can be a real challenge, to live with any form of bipolar disorder. In addition, I manage to get by on Social Security Disability for a whopping $6,000 per year! Living on that amount takes talent, just like learning to live with bipolar mood swings. There is more to the story of recovery from such a severe mental illness than you were able to present in your short report. I'm sure Dr. Gupta could take the issue into much more depth, if you were to consider it newsworthy. I, for one, would love to see you do that report some day.

    I love your show!
    Lisa Bates

    April 15, 2011 at 2:57 am |
  4. Erin

    I was glad to hear that Catherine Zeta-Jones is so open about having bipolar 2. I was finally officially diagnosed just this year though I have had depression for over 12 years. It can be extremely hard to admit your condition to anyone outside your immediate circle of trust. I think she can do a world of good by being so frank about her condition.

    April 15, 2011 at 1:43 am |
  5. Darlene Grossman, Philadelphia

    I have bipolar II which was developed after the military. I have hard times every other week to do things. I also have weeks were I can be do my best. Sanjay Is completely right everything he has said is what I go through every single day of my life. I am a 5 year army vet and I just wanted to let others know you don't have to deal with this on your own. Ive been hospital multiple times and possibly more in the future but there is always help out there for you.

    April 15, 2011 at 12:33 am |
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