Michael Douglas Tells Oprah: Catherine Zeta-Jones’ Bipolar Disorder Was ‘Outed’

In an interview set to air on the Oprah Winfrey Show today, Michael Douglas says wife Catherine Zeta-Jones was forced to reveal her bipolar disorder. “I must say, Catherine’s being quite open about it because she was outed, you know,” Douglas said.

Douglas says his wife’s decision to speak out about her illness was motivated by a desire to “get out the story” before someone leaked it:

“She went to go get some help and some other patient probably in there said, ‘Hey, you won’t believe who’s in here now.’ And, so, once that happens, I think she felt [it] best to kind of get out the story.”

In the interview with Oprah Winfrey, Douglas says his wife is doing well and already back to work on a film. Sharon Cotliar, an assistant editor at People, says the revelation won’t hurt Zeta-Jones’ career:

“She is hoping that people will be inspired to get help themselves if they’re struggling. … The fact that she came forward and announced to the world that she has bipolar II disorder really meant a lot to people, especially people who are struggling with [it]. So I think it will be only be positive for her career.”

Watch the story here, from ABC’s Good Morning America:

Follow us on Twitter.

Sign up for Mediaite's daily newsletter.