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Tag: bipolar

  • Julie Schenecker Murder Trial Starts Jury Selection

    The jury selection phase of the murder trial of Julie Schenecker began Monday in Tampa, and is expected to take several days, as the prosecution and defense assess over 100 potential jurors. Schenecker, of New Tampa, Florida is accused of killing her two teenage children in 2011.

    The Schenecker double homicide occurred on January 28, 2011, when Calyx and Beau Schenecker were found dead in their Tampa home by police. Julie Powers Schenecker was arrested on suspicion of their murder after an alleged confession. At the scene of the crime, the teens were found with gunshot wounds to their heads and covered in blankets, and Schenecker herself was found covered in blood on the back porch of the house.

    Schenecker had initally admitted to police that she shot her children because they “talked back and were mouthy,” and proceeded to describe the murders in detail. Police arrested Schenecker at the scene.

    Prosecutors were initially seeking the death penalty in the case, though now the trial will decide if Schenecker, 53, will spend her life behind bars or be admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Schenecker had been diagnosed with biopolar disorder, and suffers from extreme clinical depression. Circuit Court Judge Emmett L. Battles has set aside three weeks for the trial.

    Both the prosecution and defense are searching for jurors who have had little or no exposure to the extensive media coverage surrounding the homicides. Prosecutors will likely emphasize the premeditated nature of the crime, as Schenecker purchased the .38 revolver she’d used to shoot her children 5 days before the act. The defense will surely highlight her mental health status.

    Schenecker, the ex-wife of an Army colonel, is having her legal assistance paid for by the state, as her husband quickly filed for divorce as well as a wrongful death suit after the shootings.

    Image via YouTube

  • Catherine Zeta-Jones: Friends are Concerned With her Mental Health

    Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas have split after 13 years of marriage, and Anna Walker, Zeta-Jones’ former maid of honor is speaking out on her best friends mental health instability.

    The news of their separation comes only two and a half weeks after Douglas’ latest check-up for throat cancer. Friends and the family of the couple believe that Douglas’ has decided to re-examine his life, and his marriage is one of the things that he knew just was not right anymore.

    A source close to the couple told The Daily Mail: ‘He concluded that his marriage was over in all but name and he saw no point in continuing to live a lie. He knows it is incredibly tough on their children, but he has no intention of seeing any less of them. He’s still their father and he’ll continue to play a full part in their lives for as long as he is able. But his marriage had become a cold, dark place and he wanted out so he could find some peace.”

    Zeta-Jones’ has been battling a mental disease for years and has discussed openly her life living with bipolar disorder. Walker believes that her friend’s marriage falling apart may push Zeta-Jones over the edge.

    “The next few weeks will be very tough and I’m very worried about her,” says Walker. “This is a very traumatic time and mental health could be adversely affected.”

    Zeta-Jones recently had in-patient treatment for her disorder in April and now the separation has her friends and family worried that she could sink into a deep depression.

    “I’m sure it’s not been easy for her to cope with the stress of Michael’s illness. She’s just had another round of treatment for her bipolar and if she can keep that in check under all this stress it will be a miracle,” said Walker. “Her mother Pat is with her at the moment, so I know she’s in good hands. And nowadays there is very good medication that can help.”

    Although it is confirmed that the couple is separated, a decision has not yet been made on whether they will divorce. Douglas’ rep would only say, “Michael and Catherine are taking some time apart to evaluate and work on their marriage.” Walker says that she knows that Zeta-Jones does not want a divorce, and if there is any way to make it work, they will.

    “Catherine is very old-fashioned and never wanted to ever go through a divorce,” says Walker. “Her parents have been together for more than 50 years and are her role models. She wanted her marriage to be like theirs.”

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Catherine Zeta-Jones is Home After Bipolar Treatment

    Last month, actress Catherine Zeta-Jones announced that she would be receiving treatment for her bipolar disorder. Earlier this week her husband, Michael Douglas, revealed that the Traffic Actress should be done with treatment this week.

    Now it appears that Zeta-Jones has returned to normal life. According to a People magazine report, the actress was spotted driving her car in New York City on Tuesday.

    Zeta-Jones came forward about her struggle with bipolar back in December 2012. She stated at the time that it’s “not easy” to deal with, but reassured fellow sufferers that it can be controlled. When entering treatment earlier this year she also stated that “millions” of people suffer just as she does, but that they should not be ashamed to seek help.

    Bipolar disorder, once known as manic depression, is a mood disorder characterized by extremely intense mood swings. When experiencing a mania, symptoms can include insomnia, grandiosity, delusions, paranoia, racing thoughts, and inappropriate behavior. Sufferers have described the feeling as thoughts racing through their head too fast to fully comprehend, and seemingly without end. Following a manic episode, bipolar sufferers can fall into a deep depression, often intensified by guilt or embarrassment over their actions while manic.

    (Image courtesy David Shankbone/Wikimedia Commons)

  • Lark Voorhies: Bipolar, Or Just “Spiritual”?

    Lark Voorhies, former star of the classic sitcom “Saved By The Bell”, surprised many earlier this year when she appeared in a video interview for Yahoo! with a rather different look–which prompted fans to wonder if she’d had plastic surgery–and an odd demeanor, which sent rumors flying that perhaps she was on drugs.

    During a recent People Magazine interview, in which Voorhies would often stop in mid-sentence to mumble to no one in particular, the worry that she is battling serious problems began to creep into mainstream media, where accusations of mental illness are flying.

    Voorhies’ mother, who lives with her, says her daughter has been diagnosed as bipolar, and that she needs to work through some issues. Voorhies says her mom is just “over-loving” and that she is simply a very spiritual person. About the odd interview, Voorhies said:

    “I have a strong spiritual sense. You caught me in moments of pray [sic]. So go ahead and pick a side. It shouldn’t be hard.”

    Her mother, however, insists it’s more than that.

    “There are things that have traumatized her,” says Tricia. “I care deeply about my daughter and I want her to resume her life.”

    Perhaps one of the most disturbing aspects of Voorhies’ foray into spirituality is the rambling, almost incoherent approach she’s taken to writing; the former actress has self-published three books, “Reciprocity”, “Trek Of The Cheshire”, and “True Light”. An excerpt from “True Light” was posted on Gawker recently:

    For, ages, we have learned, to, search, for, the, truth, about, life. The, truth, in, regard, to, the, opolous, insight. Facts, ascertaned, according, to, the, willing, advance, of, theme, and, time. Fames, tolled, apart, from, steads. Standards, partrolled, in, union, with, the, ever, held, age, perfection, within, the, stales, of, solution. New, boarders, of, parental, discovery, taled, to, the, wind, of, true, shelter, and, destine. At, harmony’s length, we, trivail, the, chiefs, of, known, ability, to, prevail, the, pronounce, of, hartmanship.

    For now, Voorhies is refusing help on the grounds that she is fine, but her former castmates have apparently spoken to People Magazine about her sudden turn in recent years. The interviews are in the most recent issue of the magazine.

  • Claire Danes Gets Backlash For Bipolar Comments

    Claire Danes has a reputation for playing quirky characters–she got her big break on the teen drama “My So-Called Life”, playing a high-schooler looking for a place to fit in–and isn’t afraid to tackle roles that might be a bit outside the box for some actors. For instance, she played autistic doctor Temple Grandin in a film about her life. But now, the actress has spoken about playing a bipolar CIA agent on the Showtime hit “Homeland”, and her remarks are rubbing some people the wrong way.

    “I had to do a lot of research for this role. And actually, I found great material on YouTube,” she said during an interview with NPR. “There was a lot of footage of people who recorded themselves when they were in manic states. I think they were probably up in the middle of the night and lonely and, you know, needed to talk. So they talked to the camera. So I gorged on sort of manic confessionals on YouTube. They talk at a very fast clip. But, you know, it’s not a strictly unpleasant phenomenon. A lot of people are reluctant to treat themselves because they’re so protective of those manic highs.”

    After the interview aired, several listeners took to NPR’s website to comment on Danes’ remarks, referencing the fact that those who are bipolar and use proper medications and treatment can live quite normal lives. One commenter said, “I am… disappointed that the actress portraying a person with bipolar disorder says she prepared by “gorging on manic confessionals on You Tube”. That’s like studying diabetes by visiting the morgue, instead of talking with those who control it with medication and diet.”

    Another listener agreed, writing, “I was concerned that the actress chose “youtube” as a source of information. I have watched many of those videos and it is important to understand that for those of us living with loved ones who struggle with Type I bi-polar, the “youtube” examples actually appear mild.”

    Though the actress was trying to illustrate that she did her research on how to properly portray her character, her words have garnered some anger and hurt from bipolar disorder victims and their loved ones who say she should have chosen another avenue in order to get a handle on the role.