Catherine Zeta Jones and Bipolar Disorder

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Who is Catherine Zeta Jones?

Catherine Zeta Jones is a 41-year-old Welsh descent hollywood actor. Zeta Jones, who won an Oscar for her role in "Chicago", was photographed at Buckingham Palace in London in February where she was awarded a CBE medal by Prince Charles for her services to charity and the film industry.

Depression and Catherine

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. Bipolar disorder is the technical term for manic depression, and involves wild mood swings from high to low, though in Bipolar II the "up" moods never reach full mania. Her bipolar depression puts the spotlight on a condition that affects some 4 percent of Americans at some point during their lifetime. With regards to Zeta-Jones, no doubt her stressful life circumstances -- her husband's battle with advanced throat cancer and recent court fight with his first wife over movie proceeds, put her at higher likelihood of getting the telltale mood swings if she already had a genetic susceptibility.

What Happened to Catherine Zeta Zones

Catherine Zeta Zones reportedly checked into a £770-a-day clinic in Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan, Connecticut for five days. 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. Bipolar disorder is the technical term for manic depression, and involves wild mood swings from high to low, though in Bipolar II the "up" moods never reach full mania.

Her husband, Douglas, 66, underwent chemotherapy for stage four throat cancer last year. His son Cameron from a previous marriage, was sentenced to prison last year on drug charges.

Unlike bipolar I, the mania doesn't involve outrageously inappropriate acts like disrobing in a crowded airport, maxing out all the credit cards, or standing on a sidewalk and preaching about the end of the world. The anti-seizure drug lamotrigine appears to be effective over long run.