Maurice Benard is a very popular soap actor on General Hospital (ABC), as the role of the complex character - Sonny Corinthos. In addition to Maurice being a very popular character on this favorite television soap, off-camera he is popular as well - but as a voice in the battle against bipolar disorder.

Unusual for most actors, Maurice has been very open about his personal battle with the bipolar disorder. He has made appearances on television programs such as The View, Entertainment Tonight, and Oprah - and has been interviewed in many print media outlets.

In his most recent interview on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Maurice revealed how his life wasn't as "perfect" as it appears to be to most Americans. Although he has a loving wife of 14 years (Paula) and two daughters, Maurice also has had a long-time battle with bipolar disorder-- a mental illness which at one point left him suicidal and in a mental institution.

Now that he is winning the battle against his mental illness, Maurice is currently working with the National Mental Health Association (NMHA) on the Bipolar Disorder: Do You Know It? campaign to teach America the importance of recognizing the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental illness which presents mood swings that range from blissful to bleak. Another term for bipolar disorder is manic depression, and it is a disorder which presents itself usually during adolescence or soon after.

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Lisa Angelettie is an author, counselor, & coach on mental health, relationship, and other life issues for women. You can also visit her at http://www.girlshrink.com Please visit us for more discussion on this topic in the depression forum to talk about it further. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for topics in the news, new articles, website & book reviews, and other useful depression resources. Subscribe below.