Catherine Zeta-Jones checked into mental health facility for bipolar disorder

Catherine Zeta-Jones recently checked into a mental health facility to seek treatment for bipolar disorder. The 41-year-old Welsh actress has over the past year dealt with her actor-husband Michael Douglas' battle with throat cancer. The 66-year-old actor said in January that he had beaten the disease and that his throat tumor was gone. "After dealing with the stress of the past year, Catherine made the decision to check into a mental health facility for a brief stay to treat her Bipolar II Disorder," Zeta-Jones' spokesperson on Wednesday, April 13, said in a statement obtained by OnTheRedCarpet.com. "She's feeling great and looking forward to starting work this week on her two upcoming films." Zeta-Jones is set to film the movie "Playing the Field," a sports comedy starring Gerard Butler, Jessica Biel, Uma Thurman, Ethan Hawke and Elizabeth Berkley. The film is set for release in 2012. Zeta-Jones is also set to star in the comedy movie "Lay the Favorite," which features Bruce Willis and Justin Timberlake and is also set to hit theaters in 2012. People suffering from bipolar II disorder experience both elevated moods, which may lead to increased activity, and episodes of depression. Their "up" periods are less intense than those experienced by those dianosed with bipolar I disorder. Both types of ailments can be controlled with medications, including antidepressants, and therapy. In February, Zeta-Jones was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, or CBE, by Prince Charles of the United Kingdom (see video). She was recognized for her services to the film industry and to her charity work and received the honor at Buckingham Palace.