Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Catherine Zeta Jones Enters Treatment Facility

For the second time that she had publicly admitted, Catherine Zeta Jones has entered a treatment facility to deal with what she says is her bi-polar disorder. Her rep calls it maintenance to make sure her doctors are giving her the right amount of medication. To me that sounds like someone was maybe taking a bit too much of a certain kind of pill or pills and needs to go cold turkey to go off those pills and find some different ones. I know, I know, call me skeptical, but I think it is pretty amazing that she will be in there for 30 days which is the same amount of time as rehab and that she has that previous admission to bi-polar so she can use that as an excuse everytime she needs to do something else. Her rep said that Catherine had always planned on checking into rehab now and it was just part of the plan. Uh huh.

79 comments:

Lola and her flying flamingos said...
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MISCH said...

Michael will be on vacation for 30 days...

Lola and her flying flamingos said...

That sounds about right to me. I had a family member who was bi-polar.

Kels said...

I really don't think people understand what it's truly like to have a mental illness. The bipolar thing is not a coverup- even if she's misusing pills, the bipolar diagnoisis would be the cause, not the excuse. Being admitted IS rehab. This post was written in a very judgmental way and I don't appreciate it.

ethorne said...

Where can I get a bipolar excuse card? Oh they don't make them? She has a genuine diagnosis & Enty is being an asshole? Well OK then.

Cathy said...

I'm going to assume that Enty knows more than he is saying and that's why he's so skeptical, rather than just assuming he's being an ass.

Unknown said...

This has to be a reveal!

rhinovodka said...

I hope she gets better. She's a lovely woman.

Leah said...

I'm not surprised that she's going to a facility for month. I have a childhood friend who has has to do this periodically over the years - and sometimes stay longer if they need to switch around new meds or dosages repeatedly.

Kelly said...

When my ex was cycling badly the most they'd keep him was 72 hours. He needed the 30 days, but they wouldn't do it. This was when he was at his worst. I just don't buy this from her. She's saying she's going in for 30 days to just be checked out randomly? Um, NO. I don't know what her deal is, but I wouldn't wish bipolar on my worst enemy.

Henriette said...

When the phrase "the second time she's publicly admitted" is used, it makes me think she's done this more than twice without the public's knowledge.

Unknown said...

what Kels said. nicely put.

Susan said...

She always looks so fabulous so it's always surprising when I hear of CZJ entering rehab. Hope she gets well. Are their children still young? I'm sure they have a fleet of nannies, but I would think this sort of thing to be very hard on kids. Hope the rehab helps her.

libby said...

Just hope she's not actually just having more plastic surgery. This would be a CHEAP way to garner sympathy while you're actually just pathetically vain.

Henriette said...

Whenever I think of CZJ, I think of her smoking while pregnant. That had pics of her doing that in both of her pregnancies.

Robert said...

I found this a bit surprising on a couple of levels. First, I worked in the mental health field for several years, and I've never heard of any such thing as a 30-day program designed to treat bi-polar disorder, and in fact, where I worked, even inpatient treatment of any duration for it was rare. Normally, medications are prescribed with follow-up visits sometimes being scheduled to monitor the therapeutic levels of the prescribed medication in the bloodstream (or lack thereof). This is, among other reasons, because BPD isn't an illness that is normally susceptible to treatment via psychotherapy, but is rather caused by a simple chemical disorder.

It would make sense, I suppose, if someone with BPD were to cease taking medications and therefore, in either the manic or depressive state, or both, might represent a danger to herself or others. But that sort of hospitalization would normally be for only a matter of days, not weeks.

There are, of course, inpatient psychiatric facilities which cater to those with access to virtually unlimited funds, and which may (or may not) sometimes admit people who simply want to "get away from it all" for a period of time. But a set 30-day program normally indicates a problem with drugs or alcohol or both.

Just Another HR Lady said...

I actually think that she is very brave for putting her illness out there, many people struggle. It takes 30 days just to properly assess medication issues for mental illness, the doctors need to monitor you on/and off the medications to see what effect they have, and even that may not be enough. So many celebrities hide why they are going into treatment, it's sad we need to be "skeptical" about someone who is being honest about their struggles.

Count Jerkula said...

I think she just wanted a break from changing Micheal's Depends.

Unknown said...

Yes! I worked in public aid psych with criminals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.. If her meds are messed up she needs to be hospitalized to become stable again. She doesn't have to admit to anything - her medical needs are her business... Hope she gets the help she needs - it's a terrible condition....

LottaColada said...

OMG!

LauraOK said...

Agree with Robert here. Mental illness is devastating, and often requires hospitalization to regulate medications and provide therapy. But the patient's stay is determined by their progress and degree of stability and that can never be predetermined. The only "rehabs" with predetermined amounts of time of which I am aware are for drug/alcohol and other addiction issues. In any case, good for her for getting help. Honesty, though, is generally seen as a good first step.

msgirl said...

My bil is bipolar and others I know who are bipolar don't enter a 30 day program to get meds adjusted so at first I was skeptical BUT I bow to the knowledge of cdaners who are more learned about this, so thanks. It is a horrid disease and very hard to get the right cocktail.

StewMcG said...

When I was hospitalized for major depressive disorder, there were several people with bipolar there as well but none of us were there for 30 days. Since a good majority of people with mental illness also had addiction/dependency issues (myself included), maybe she's being treated for both. Either way, I refuse to snark on someone who admits they need help and is actually getting it. Lohag could learn something or two from Catherine.

Anna said...
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DewieTheBear said...

I applaud her for having the courage to put herself first and say to hell with the stigma (and second-guessing, like in this post) of dealing openly with a mental illness. She was upfront about this in the past and there's no reason to treat her like a Lohan faking an illness or hiding an addiction.

All about Eve said...

I have no clue about this so I will not give an opinion except to say that I hope she gets well if she is really in rehab for her bipolar disorder.

auntliddy said...

I concur with ignorance of treatment of BPD. My friends mom got mental illness late in her life- her late 60's. shes now 80 something, and its still an ongoing oroblem- constantly adjusting meds, in and out of hospital, endless bouts of crying- its really awful. So whatever czj has to do is her business and i wish her health. Mb she does need the 30 days; mb she just said that to cover herself. It just goes to show you things are not as golden as they seem. Shes talented and beautiful, but hubby had throat cancer and both her children have some sort of special needs i think educationally.

Anna said...

When you're living in the Douglas family, with an extended family rampant with issues from rage to drug and sex addiction, how do you know YOU'RE the one with the problem? Other people's issue can be crazymaking.

When my mother's medication program for another issue also consisted of anti-anxiety pills that she agreed to take only by misunderstanding exactly what they were for (miracle) - the REST of the family suddenly discovered we could get off all of our anxiety medication. Three people were being treated for anxiety, panic attacks or depression when the one person who happily caused nearly all of the trouble had been the unmedicated one and the only one who really needed it.

NomNom83 said...

I think if you have enough money, you can stay in rehab or treatment or whatever you want to call it for as long as you want.

Not terribly familiar with the details, but understand that many with mental illness try to self-medicate. So if she's going in to get off of something, I can still see how it would be related to this.

She may not be the nicest person, and Enty has hinted as much, but when it comes to someone's mental or physical health, we aren't owed a full explanation. Obviously if someone runs to the press and says they were in rehab with her, her publicists want to be out ahead of that, so I get the catch-22 of sharing private info now in order to avoid a bigger story later on.

Unknown said...

I buy her story. I am bipolar as well and you can be fully medicated and still flip out. Stress is a trigger, as are age-related hormone disruption (she's even the right age for that one). I wish it presented as a broken leg so that way everyone can see that you need help.

jimmyPx said...

I believe this because truthfully there is almost NO stigma in Hollywood for going to drug rehab but there IS a stigma for being mentally ill.

Therefore I believe that she is being totally honest and probably her condition is worse than just needing meds adjusted, but that is her business.

lc said...

It is very hard to get the right combonation of drugs. Sometimes when something works for awhile, it stops working. And adjustments are hard on the person and the people around them.
She is doing the right thing, and by sharing she is doing a wonderful thing. I hope she finds the right balance and keeps on bringing MI into the light.

Marieeee said...

Agree 100%.

SusanB said...

I hope it works out for her - I've always had kind of a girl-crush on her - she's just physically beautiful. Don't know about her personality though, and I always hope anyone in rehab gets the help they need. I would think the fact that she entered voluntarily (if true) is a positive sign.

ms snarky said...

I think this is perfectly normal for someone on several meds. Your body can get out of whack, and your meds need to be adjusted. Not everyone has the ability to go to a treatment facility for 30 days to get things right, but CZJ clearly can afford it. It's not like she'll be in a hellhole. I'm pretty sure there will be massages.

Gayeld said...

Damn, where'd I put those sparkly hearts?

Mel said...
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Orsolya said...

Rich people shouldn't play with pdychariatrists, they'll only get themselves hooked on expensive mind-fucking drugs xoxooxxo

Diane said...

I dont believe her ... and while we are on that subject, I dont beleive she is the age she states she is. I think she is lying. More plastic surgery in the works for her.

I feel for her 2 children. 30 days is a long time to be away from Mommie. I cut short my vacation last year so I could get home to my 7 yr old. I missed him so much, we just had to get home. The look on his face when we arrived to pick him up was priceless. I'll never forget it. Nannies are not a subsitute for Moms/Dads.

Anonymous said...

Could you imagine living in a house with CZJ and Ashley Judd, two of the most beautiful actresses of the late 90's. Both bat poop crazy

Kelly Simmons said...


Have a girlfriend who is bi-polar and OCD and things have occasionally gotten so bad that there is hallucinating, psychosis, etc. Hospitalization totally necessary. Her husband would have given anything to be able to afford having her in a facility for 30 days to get her stabilized -- it took years of going back and forth before the right drug cocktail was found.

It can be a nightmare, with or without money or fame.

__-__=__ said...

Thank you Robert. ITA

The Seattle Mom said...

Mental illnesses are not as "chic" as alcohol/drug issues- I highly doubt someone would say they have a mental illness (esp one as horrible as bipolar) if it was something else. That said, I'm having a good day so far so I'm not going to let snarky comments (esp those about mental illness + addiction going hand in hand) get me down.

The Seattle Mom said...

If she's getting ECT (electro shock), the average patient needs 6-12 sessions. It would take her a month to get all of those. If she doesn't want people to see her coming in & out of out-patient hospitals (esp right after a treatment), then yes, with her money, I can absolutely see her staying in a hospital while she gets ECT. It is sheer hell -- for the patient & the people who have to take care of them.

Unknown said...

I live with bi-polar II daily. I was diagnosed in my early 20's. Here's the thing. To me, this sounds super fishy. I know at least 3 other bi-polars well and none of us has ever had to be admitted for 30 days. I have visited the psych ward twice in my life and both were stays no longer than 5 days. The second was a visit to adjust my meds, etc... and in my opinion, unless you're working on an addiction issue, 30 days isn't necessary. I'm sure some bipolar patients have stayed that long, but not an arbitrary 30 days. I call bull on this one.

Unknown said...

Chaos, I didn't think about ECT. I hope to high heaven that she doesn't have to go through that. wow.

whocaresnow12 said...

With an illness like bipolar there needs to be constant adjusting of medication and evaluation. Her checking in is very normal, and not something to be made light if. It's extremely admirable that she's open and honest versus hiding her illness.

Bailey Quarters said...

I remember looking at that photo of Michael Douglas at The White House Correspondents Dinner and thinking that he looked miserable. Just about everyone else is smiling in their photos and Michael looked like he wanted to cry. It was on this site just yesterday.

Unknown said...

So what if its rehab? She felt she needed a refresher course to stay clean then good for her. Or maybe she relapsed and decided she needed to seek help, good for her. Or maybe it's bipolar treatment at a day spa type facility, in which case, good for her. She has the funds to do it, obviously she wants to get better, what's the problem? Also, I forget who but someone up there posted about her smoking during her pregnancies. I know someone who smoked like a train and when she got pregnant was told by her doctor not to quit because the withdrawals would cause her to miscarry. She did cut back but didn't stop entirely.

lelale said...

My sister is BPD its taken her a while to get stabilized and empowered about her meds and just last month she spent about three weeks in the hospital for similar reasons, no meltdowns,no drama just a medication adjustment. Some bipolar meds are strong enough that they require supervision to adjust.

joymama said...

Enty, you bacon loving bastard, lay off topics like mental illness if you are going to be judgmental and uninformed on this very complex topic.

Meds are not easy to regulate and every person has a right to seek out their own care without anyone talking trash about them.



LC said...

There are most definitely programs for inpatient mental health issues that have very little / nothing to do with alcohol and drug abuse. In fact, the first treatment center she went to (which DEFINITELY happened -- even if it was not for the full length of time) has a 28-day TLP program for that specific purpose.

These programs focus on alternate ways to react and manage stress (amongst other things), which is a definite trigger of bipolar episodes.

It makes me nervous to read things posted by people who work in the "mental health field" that are grossly inaccurate.

annabella said...

yes, I think that enty should not be judgmental and snarky about someone w/an admitted mental illness. it's got to be hell for her and her family.

Katherine "Katie" said...

There was a blind a while ago about someone at this years Oscars who had secretly entered a facility for mental illness. Everyone thought it was Renee Zelleweger. I guess it was CZJ.

Very sad.

Pink_Palace said...

after the Oscars when we watched her bitchy attitude towards Jennifer Hudson's sister - not shocking @ all - of course that was the same week the NE said she was divorcing Michael...

on another note, i have no idea how re-hab works for those who are bi-polar, but my sister could use 30 days in rehab to learn how to deal w/hers. she is the adult version of lindsay (adult via the fact she is in her 50s) but she doesn't have any sugar daddies to take care of her. she has become an abusive, alcoholic, depressed nightmare and has aged 15 years in the past five...luckily i have no contact w/her because she is such a horrible person and i am not blaming it on her being bi-polar. she just uses that as her excuse for all of her evil actions...

BLT said...

My mom, oldest brother, uncle, nephew and a cousin are all bipolar but my cousin has been the only one on prescribed medication after being hospitalized for attempted suicide. The others have self-medicated mostly with pot and alcohol and refuse to get diagnosed because in their minds, there is nothing wrong with them. I have lived most of my 47 years as if walking on eggshells because you never know from one second to the next what will "set them off". In those rare times when they are not bouncing off the walls with excitement or in the depths of extreme anger or depression they can admit that there is a problem but they never stay in that frame of mind long enough to actually get help. You make the appointment but by the time the day comes to go to the doctor they are "Fine, no need for any diagnosis". It could be that CZJ has been given an ultimatum to receive treatment because of the children. I wish my dad had the balls to stand up to my mom and brother to get them treatment but, he has Aspergers soooo... Thankfully I'm ADOPTED!!!

Rhody said...

I would imagine it's super easy to get addicted to these meds. I am a bit skeptical of the "maintenance" excuse too. Carrie Fisher has been more than open about all her issues with this disorder, and even when she had her psychotic episode on that cruise recently she wasn't admitted for 30 days.
I admire CZJ's openess about her battle, but if she were saying it was that and it was really something else I'd be dissapointed in her.

brittiany said...

This post is so ignorant. Its very close to home and makes me think entry is not as open minded as he would like us to believe. Celebrating world AIDS day yet judging another disease? If she is going in for treatment of abusing drugs and alcohol then it is most likely abuse due her disorder. We self medicate due to improper medication. If she wants to get out of that then good for her. I wish I could afford to do the same.

Redd said...

I don't get why everyone gets so defensive on here lately. This is a gossip blog, not a support group. Of course, Enty is not informed/trained to lecture or educate us on topics such as mental illness, that is not the purpose here. I suppose the purpose of this blog is entertainment. If you don't like the implied snark, then don't click on the story. It's that simple. On topic, I concur with Count J.

AKM said...

God, Enty. Learn. A bit. About. Mental illness. Why don't you. Because you sound amazingly stupid and judgmental.

It takes WEEKS for meds to work properly and figure out what the side effects might be, too. The three times I've been hospitalized, I stayed for two weeks and one week (the second two times). It would NOT be out of the realm of possibility for someone rich and famous to be able to take 30 days to rest and figure out the proper meds.

mygeorgie said...

@Redd We know this is a gossip blog, but there are limits to what should be snarked about & snickered at. Someone seeking help for mental health issues, cancer, rape, child molestation...And if *you* don't like the opinions of people disagreeing, "don't click on the post" and move on.

mygeorgie said...

And I commend anyone, especially a celeb (!) for publicly acknowledging their mental health and/or addiction issues. Both are torture enough to live with secretly, add everyone's snark & judgement, well no wonder people are chained down by their shit.

Meanie Rhysie said...

Fuck you, Enties. Just fuck you and your judgmental asses.

Peace, light and love to those who suffer from MI

auntliddy said...

Children are totally used to nannies, wont seem diff to them

auntliddy said...

Meant their children

Tempestuous Grape said...

Unless you've lived like we do, you have no fucking idea, so don't speculate.

califblondy said...

OMG Anna do we share a Mother?

Izzie said...

@Reesie, {hugs}

youappearing said...

I had a young family member in her early twentys who entered rehab for 90 days to treat major depressive disorder and bipolar tendencies. It's not unheard of folks. Now she can function normally.

feraltart said...

Good on her for seeking help. Don't care what it is for. She knew there was an issue & she is dealing with it. Bravo for being so open. I would not be at all surprised if it is 30 days for bi-polar. Better to come out totally stabilised then to do the revolving doors of medication adjustment.

My MIL went into a nursing home, they put her on medication for something which caused incontinence. She never had a problem in her life. They told us it was fixed, you know how?, with incontinence pads. That is putting a band aid on the symptom, not solving the problem. People are over medicated all the time. I used to be a pathology technician. So many drugs react with each other & even with food, additives, oils you burn to make your house smell nice. People are undereducated about how medications work & how their efficacy (greater or less) can be influenced by what we ingest.

ecua said...

Lol! You go,girl! And Enty--suck it up and apologize. You really acted like a twat on this one.

mybrothehero said...

agreed. I have a CAADC certification as well as an LPC and obviously the majority of people I see are duel diagnosed. so the bipolar wouldn't be incorrect, but really sounds life the self-medication may be co-occuring along with it. just from what the general public knows, she's been through serious marital problems, out of control stepson, and the husband who she is probably having some issues with has a very deadly cancer (very similar to what my bro died from). i can see it triggering her. I truly hope that she can get stablized to be a source of consistency for her children and her husband. I am so glad Michael has been working, but to me, it still looks like he's ill. I remember before we relized a relapse in my brother's cancer that everything in his bloodwork was fine, but there was a... look. can't explain it. he was very active and ate normally and then everything caved at once. sorry, probably TMI. just some things I will never forget...

mybrothehero said...

agreed. I have a CAADC certification as well as an LPC and obviously the majority of people I see are duel diagnosed. so the bipolar wouldn't be incorrect, but really sounds life the self-medication may be co-occuring along with it. just from what the general public knows, she's been through serious marital problems, out of control stepson, and the husband who she is probably having some issues with has a very deadly cancer (very similar to what my bro died from). i can see it triggering her. I truly hope that she can get stablized to be a source of consistency for her children and her husband. I am so glad Michael has been working, but to me, it still looks like he's ill. I remember before we relized a relapse in my brother's cancer that everything in his bloodwork was fine, but there was a... look. can't explain it. he was very active and ate normally and then everything caved at once. sorry, probably TMI. just some things I will never forget...

DontRainOnMyPrada said...

@Robert, i think BPD stands for borderline personslity disorder....not bipolar disorder.

Dandy said...

i had a boyfriend with a father who was bi polar. it gets worse with age, and at times he would slip even while taking his medication. your body gets used to it, or it just stops working. at other times, when he was happy, he thought he was cured and would stop taking the medication. he would have very wide mood swings, be up all night and lose tons of weight or sleep all day and gain tons of weight. it is a disease that depends on how bad a case you have, and he would be in the hospital for weeks at a time to get him back on medication and get it straightened out. so, yes, very plausible that she would go for a month, if her drs. know her history and know how long it takes her to get straightened out.

The Seattle Mom said...

"Maintenance" is what doctors call it when you have to go back for your second, third, etc round of ECT. I was forwarned that lots of people who do ECT need to come back for "maintenance" from time to time.

AKM said...

"@Robert, i think BPD stands for borderline personslity disorder....not bipolar disorder."

Yes, you are correct, although some people DO use "BPD" incorrectly for bipolar disorder, which gets confusing as hell.

J said...

No Cathy/Enty. He/you were being a dick. How the hell does he know if she's bipolar or not? Substance abuse is a byproduct of BPD and she has the right to keep her medical info private.

What a cynical, judgemental and douchey post.

But alas, you're not man enough to admit it and apologize. Keep pretending that you have "inside info" on someone's medical condiition.

J said...

+1

BP since 13 and I know firsthand the private hell CZJ lives in. Then for people to accuse you of making it up due to their ignorance. This isn't a support group but isn't the blogger a proponent of decency?

You're a great guy Enty.

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