Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones have had a rough year, but things are finally looking up for the New York-based couple.
After all, just months after Douglas, 66, beat stage 4 throat cancer, his wife announced she was seeking treatment for bipolar II disorder in April.
"After dealing with the stress of the past year, Catherine made the decision to check into a mental health facility for a brief stay," her rep told Us Weekly in a statement. "She's feeling great and looking forward to starting work this week on her two upcoming films."
During a Tuesday interview with Oprah Winfrey, Douglas said that his health problems were "very hard" on his wife. Adding to Zeta-Jones' woes, "My son is in federal prison, my ex-wife is suing me. . .it's kind of hard for the wife to say that she's depressed."
During his own treatment, Douglas said he didn't want "a lot of fuss and attention," and Zeta-Jones, 41, reacted similarly. "She's Welsh," he explained. "The Welsh, it's all stiff upper lip and not letting your feelings show."
Now that he's cancer free, Douglas says his wife, whom he wed in 2000, has finally been able to "relax."
"She's great. She's shooting a movie down in Louisiana, and I think she's relieved she has a better understanding [of bipolar II]," he told the talk show host, 57.
(In addition to filming Playing the Field with Dennis Quaid and Uma Thurman, Zeta-Jones recently signed on to appear in the big screen adaptation of Rock of Ages.)
With the worst now behind them, Douglas told Winfrey he's gained a new lease on life. "I know that I'm much, much closer to my friends and family," he said while tearing up. "I have a much deeper appreciation of my family and friends."
