Catherine Zeta-Jones Opens Up About Struggle With Bipolar Disorder

Catherine Zeta-Jones recently revealed that she received treatment for Bipolar II Disorder, and now the 41-year-old actress is speaking out about her struggle with the mental illness.

"This is a disorder that affects millions of people and I am one of them," Zeta-Jones told People. "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."

Earlier this month Zeta-Jones checked into Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan, Connecticut, and sources close to the Oscar winner say that the stress of husband Michael Douglas' battle with throat cancer made her realize that she needed to seek professional help. "The simple things would just seem overwhelming, like going out to dinner," says the close friend. "There was just a little piece of her chipped away. It was hard to watch because I knew how hard she was trying."