Jessica Marais has opened up to Nova radio this weekend about how going public with her bipolar diagnosis has changed her life.
Two years ago, Jessica spoke to Australian Women’s Weekly about living with bipolar, and how she first started experiencing symptoms at just 12 years old.
It was a revelation: here was a beautiful actress who seemed to have it all – a successful career, a beautiful child, a handsome husband – but was also living with bipolar. It normalised the disorder, and had fellow sufferers applauding her bravery in going public.
However, the fallout was also very real. Jessica’s choice to go public was a decision that shifted many people’s perception of the television star.
She was slammed for her unmedicated approach to the disorder, and several gossip rags even went as far as to suggest her 2015 marriage breakdown to fellow actor James Stewart was because of her mental illness.
Speaking to Confidential on Nova on Sunday night, Jessica spoke about how the ‘bipolar’ label is a hard one to shake.
“When I made that statement, I didn’t want it to be a defining element of my personality,” said Jessica, “because there are so many other things and that is just one little tiny facet.”
She also identified the struggles that came with being seen as a public voice to bipolar, and was quick to point out that it is different for everyone.
"I never as a public figure think that I can instruct people on how to deal with issues like that," she said, "but what I will say is that I’ve learnt to be more open with the people close to me when I’ve had struggles of my own."
Jessica rose to fame with her roles in Aussie shows Packed To The Rafters and Love Child, and is now starring in Channel Ten's new series, The Wrong Girl.
If you are suffering from bipolar disorder or know someone who is, head over to The Black Dog Institute to find out more information.
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Top Comments
I was diagnosed with bipolar 2 weeks ago after 20 years of confusion about my severe depressive episodes among other distressing symptoms. I, for one, am grateful for her bravery because at this point, I am struggling with the shame and embarrassment that comes with my diagnosis. But as my psychiatrist pointed out, my condition is genetic and out of my control. A protein in my brain is flawed and needs to be corrected. This is no more my fault than a person who has a heart that doesn't beat properly and requires a pace maker. I can't simply think my way out of it and this is devastating. I have made a decision to be open about my condition, partly because I can see people like Jessica who make me feel ok with it and also because, if I'm not open, how can I expect to stop the stigma? People that know me, know I'm not "crazy", it just takes a lot more effort for me to live successfully compared to the average person. My love goes out to all those suffering in silence.
I was first diagnosed with depression and then bipolar and then schizoaffective. Most people have been very supportive. I have had various comments ranging from rude to downright bizarre - get over your depression you have nothing to be sad about, do you have God in your life? Do you realise that if you accept God into your life all your problems will disappear? You have a mental illness? You're not going to kill me are you? But mostly people have been very supportive although I have found that if I do anything wrong or make a mistake it gets blamed on the mental illness. It is more than possible for me to do the wrong thing and make mistakes that has nothing to do with me having a mental illness. Just like anyone else really.