Catherine Zeta-Jones Sought Medical Treatment at Least Twice amid Health Problems

• Catherine Zeta-Jones dealt with much stress when her husband battled cancer and suppressed her mental health.
• Michael Douglas believes a fellow patient shared the news of Zeta-Jones' being in a mental health facility.
• The couple has spoken about how his cancer and her bipolar II have affected their marriage.

Catherine Zeta-Jones' mental issues were blasted on the front cover of a tabloid in 2011. The "Chicago" actress took control of the narrative by becoming the reluctant face of bipolar II disorder.

There had been many stressors in the Zeta-Jones-Douglas household in 2010. Zeta-Jones' stepson was incarcerated in a federal prison in April 2010 after being sentenced to 10 years for drug dealing and possession.

That June, her husband, Michael Douglas' first wife, sued him for half his earnings for "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps." Then the family was struck with tragedy in August when the actor was diagnosed with oral cancer.

Zeta-Jones felt helpless as her husband underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments. It was tough having their kids, Dylan and Carys, ask her if their daddy would die.

Trying to keep their matters private, she hardly spoke about her feelings during this time. Douglas announced that he was cancer-free in January 2011.

In early April 2011, the actress was checked into Silver Hill Hospital, a mental health facility in New Canaan, Connecticut. She received treatment at the facility for five days.

"After dealing with the stress of the past year, Catherine decided to check into a mental health facility for a brief stay to treat her bipolar II disorder," a spokesperson confirmed on April 13.

According to Dr. Warren Taylor, the head of mood disorders at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, bipolar is "very treatable with a good source of support and the right medication."

People who suffer from bipolar II disorder experience extreme highs and lows. They struggle to communicate with their loved ones effectively and can have difficulty finishing their work.

Zeta-Jones spoke on her diagnosis at the month's end, saying, "This is a disorder that affects millions of people, and I am one of them. If my revelation of having bipolar II has encouraged one person to seek help, then it is worth it." She added:

"There is no need to suffer silently, and there is no shame in seeking help."

A close friend explained that the "The Mask of Zorro" star wanted to be in "top form" before she began filming her romantic comedy "Playing the Field" in Louisiana. The star realized that she needed help with her depression.

"The simple things would just seem overwhelming, like going out to dinner," the friend elaborated. "It was hard to watch because I knew how hard she was trying."

Zeta-Jones sought help again two years later, checking into a hospital. Her publicist said on May 1, 2013, that the Oscar winner "is committed to periodic care in order to manage her health in an optimum manner."

That June, Douglas stated that his wife was "doing great," and he was excited to see her. "It's a slippery slope, this bipolar stuff," he said, adding:

"Sometimes you don't think you need any meds at all, and you forget your meds. Then, all of a sudden, you get on a real ride. But she's fine. She's got it stabled out."

The "No Reservations" star found it "very liberating" to have a name for what she had been going through and a professional to talk her through it. She explained how there are "amazing highs and very low lows," but her goal is "to be consistently in the middle."

A Tabloid Shamelessly 'Outed' Catherine Zeta-Jones' Stay at a Mental Health Facility

Appearing on "Good Morning America" in December 2012, Zeta-Jones admitted that she was "sick" about having to talk about her mental health. "Because I never wanted to be the poster child for this, and I never wanted this to come out publicly." However:

"It came out. And I dealt with it the best way I could."

She added that she was grateful to have a sound support system around her. The National Enquirer had blasted the news when she was booked into Silver Hill Hospital in 2011.

In their headline, the Welsh star was referred to only as "Michael Douglas' wife." The newspaper sensationally proclaimed that she was in a "ward with drug addicts and alcoholics."

Douglas later told Oprah Winfrey, "Catherine is being quite open about it because she was outed." He theorized that "some patient" likely leaked the information about her stay at the Connecticut hospital.

Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas Are 'Closer Than Ever' with Their Shared Struggles

Asked if their marriage was stronger after all they have been through, Douglas said at a press conference at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, "Sure, yeah."

The couple had met at a film festival and married two years later in 2000. Not long after the couple's 15th wedding anniversary, Zeta-Jones did a comprehensive interview with Good Housekeeping for their March 2016 cover.

She gushed how the two of them celebrated at their favorite restaurants, marveling at how they had not "killed each other yet" ― and that they were still alive. "It's a long road, and I think people today are so quick to throw in the towel on marriage," she said, adding:

"You have to give it your best shot and not give up when the first problem arises because that won't be the last problem. There will be many more down the road."

That same year, her husband said that she was "extraordinary." He praised her for how she had taken hold of her mental illness. "In the end, we were able to see the big picture and move on. Now, we're closer than ever," he said.

Douglas, who is 27 years older than his wife, shared that their humor helped them overcome issues related to growing old together. He has previously said that his cancer has given him a "much deeper appreciation" for his family and friends.