Catherine Zeta-Jones has been publicly commended for coming out with her bipolar disorder by the likes of Demi Lovato and Jane Pauley, but according to husband Michael Douglas, it wasn't her choice to discuss her diagnosis publicly.
"Catherine's being quite open about it because she was outed," Douglas, 66, said on Tuesday's Oprah Winfrey Show.
Catherine Zeta-Jones treated for bipolar disorder
According to Douglas, his wife "went to get some help, and some other patient probably said, 'Hey, you won't believe who's in here now.' So, once that happens, I think she felt best to get out her story."
Zeta-Jones' rep released a statement earlier this month stating that the Oscar winner, 41, was seeking treatment for Bipolar II disorder. She appeared on the cover of People magazine days later to talk about her diagnosis.
"This is a disorder that affects millions of people and I am one of them," she said. "If my revelation of having Bipolar II has encouraged one person to seek help, then it is worth it. There is no need to suffer silently and there is no shame in seeking help."
Douglas has also been through a rough year. He underwent five months of radiation and chemotherapy treatment for throat cancer. In January, he reported that the tumor was gone.