Actor Sean Astin, star of such films as Rudy and the Oscar-winning Lord of the Rings trilogy, grew up in a family that felt the impact of bipolar disorder. His mother, actress Patty Duke, showed signs and symptoms for years, but didn't receive a correct diagnosis and treatment until Sean was 11 years old.

Bipolar disorder, also called manic depression, is a mood disorder that causes people to have extreme mood changes ranging from depression to mania. (Depressive episodes typically involve overwhelming feelings of sadness, whereas manic episodes often involve feelings of euphoria).

Before his mother’s condition was diagnosed, young Sean and his family experienced years of turbulence, uncertainty, and confusion. By sharing his story now, Sean hopes to help others recognize bipolar symptoms—whether in themselves or a loved one—early on, so others can benefit from accurate, timely diagnosis, and treatment, like his mother eventually did.

Sean discussed his experiences in a series of interviews conducted for this awareness program. Following are selected excerpts from those interviews.

What do you remember about your mom’s mood swings?

SA: There were times when my mother was clearly depressed and felt extraordinary emotional pain. These were painful times for us as well.

There were also times when she was energetic, highspirited, and outgoing; she seemed to be (and feel) larger than life. Eventually, however, it became obvious that the extreme moods—“up,” “down,” or “angry”—were having a real impact on our family.

For years, we didn’t know that these behaviors and mood swings were caused by a chemical imbalance; we assumed they were just part of her personality. When a doctor finally diagnosed her with bipolar disorder, my mother was relieved to finally understand the cause of her mood swings.

What do you recall about your mother’s diagnosis of bipolar disorder?

SA: I don’t remember a whole lot about my own reaction or understanding at the time; I was still pretty young. But I can tell you that my mother was absolutely thrilled—yes, thrilled and relieved—finally to have an explanation. We embraced her diagnosis, and I think she felt having a “name” for what she was experiencing was empowering.

My mom used her diagnosis as a way of reaching out to others who have had similar experiences. She became an active spokesperson in the mental health field, and wrote her books (Call me Anna and A Brilliant Madness) that detail her experiences with bipolar disorder. Wherever I go around the world, people come up to me and are overflowing with gratitude for my mom’s openness about her bipolar disorder.

I don't expect that most people will "embrace" a bipolar diagnosis in the way that my mother did. Most people may be in denial or scared by their new diagnosis, but it is really an opportunity for them to create a better life for themselves. I do hope that people can see a correct diagnosis as a turning point-a point where they can feel empowered to seek out resources to help them get the balance they and their families want and need.

Why did it take so long for your mother to be correctly diagnosed?

SA: I’m not entirely sure why; it could have a lot to do with a simple lack of awareness—we were not aware of the knowledge and tools to help her. Also remember that until recently, talking about such behaviors was taboo.

My mom did suffer for many years—and my family suffered along with her—before she finally received the correct diagnosis and was able to find a treatment plan that worked for her. And it seems as though her experience wasn’t that rare—and still isn’t. A recent survey shows that people with bipolar disorder go an average of 13 years from their first symptoms until accurate diagnosis. It is my sincere hope that this program will help close that gap.

Do you feel your family played a key role in getting your mom to seek help?

SA: Yes, absolutely. We weren’t aware of bipolar disorder or its symptoms at that time. But we helped by being present and by serving as a sort of “mirror” that made her see how she behaved at times. I do not mean this disrespectfully at all; it’s often difficult for people with bipolar disorder to see themselves as others see them.

Could we have done a better job of it, or done it sooner? No doubt about it. We didn’t always communicate directly enough with each other or with my mom about what we were observing or feeling. If there’s one big glaring mistake that my family made when I was growing up—and I hope others can learn from it—it's that sometimes we failed to communicate.

Why have you become involved in this campaign? What do you hope to accomplish?

SA: As devastating as bipolar disorder can be to individuals and their families, I want people to also know that a bipolar diagnosis is actually a sign of hope. I want to take the panic out of the conversation! I believe the key truly is to communicate openly—about behaviors you’re observing in your loved one or symptoms you may see in yourself. This communication can be supportive, gentle, and informed. It is my hope that this campaign will be an invitation—not a challenge—for people to explore behaviors that may be a source of concern for them.

What advice do you have for people who suspect bipolar disorder in a loved one?

SA: Above all, communicate. If you observe behaviors that you think are troubling or questionable, share them with your loved one. Be that “mirror” that enables your loved one to see himself or herself as others do.

Keep track of your observations; write them down, even. If and when your loved one seeks a doctor’s help, your recollections can help create a fuller picture that can lead to a more accurate diagnosis. Some excellent tools for tracking your loved ones mood and symptoms are located on the Tool and Resources page of this Web site.

Have hope—and share that hope with your loved one. Thanks to increased awareness and medical advances, today many people with bipolar disorder are leading rewarding lives.

Next: More About Bipolar Disorder >>>