General Hospital news and updates reveal Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos) reflecting on surviving bipolar disorder. And in a new interview, the winner of three Daytime Emmy awards recalls how he even considered suicide.
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Find out what Maurice revealed about his mental health struggles. And keep reading to learn what the General Hospital star shared in the wake of the heartbreaking losses of Billy Miller and Tyler Christopher.
General Hospital Spoilers – Maurice Benard Talks Bipolar Disorder
On paper, General Hospital star Maurice Benard seems to enjoy a perfect life. For instance, the actor took home three Daytime Emmy awards. And his wife Paula has supported him personally and professionally.
But Benard also battles bipolar disorder. And in the past two months, two of his General Hospital co-stars, both of whom struggled with the same mental health condition, died. Billy Miller, who portrayed Jason Morgan and Drew Cain, died by suicide at age 43. And Tyler Christopher, who received an Emmy for playing Nikolas Cassadine, died after a cardiac episode just days before his 51st birthday, noted People.
Now 60, Benard was just 22 when he received his diagnosis of bipolar disorder. And he recalled, “For about a two week period, I was just acting strange.” But although his mother called the police, he then behaved normally. “My dad’s crying; my mom’s crying, but the cops couldn’t do anything because I became normal,” explained Maurice. “And then the next morning, they took me to the mental institute.”
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General Hospital Spoilers – Maurice Benard Praises Wife Paula
However, after spending time in a mental health facility, Benard met his wife Paula. And they tied the knot in 1990. But although Maurice struggled with his condition, she stayed strong in her support.
And Paula shared, “It’s no different than living with anyone with any other problem that they have. I mean, yes, it’s difficult, you know,” she admitted. “But I don’t think twice about it. I just do whatever we have to do to manage it. And when times are hard, then we dig deeper and figure out what we need to do.”
However, Maurice recalled his lowest point in his battle with bipolar disorder. And he considered suicide on a daily basis. As a result of the pandemic lock-down, everything changed.
General Hospital Spoilers – Maurice Benard Contemplated Suicide
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“I thought about it every day,” recalled Benard about his suicidal low point. As a result of the pandemic lock-down, General Hospital went on hiatus for four months. And the actor’s book tour across the country for his memoir Nothing General About It: How Love (and Lithium) Saved Me On and Off General Hospital temporarily ended.
Benard recalled how he “felt a real cold rush in me. And then that night I was shaking like a fish out of water and crying like a baby. This had never happened in my life. Paula’s on the bed and I’m like, ‘Baby, I’m done. What’s going on with me?’ In a calm voice, she says, ‘Honey, you’re fine. You’re gonna be fine.’ And I’m like, ‘What the f— what do you mean. I’m gonna be fine?’ I was stuck in this horrific panic that wouldn’t leave.”
However, then the General Hospital actor began his podcast called State of Mind. And talking with other actors about mental health helped him. But his depression continued. “And it was bad,” Benard admitted.
General Hospital Spoilers – Maurice Benard Shares What Saved Him
However, he recalled one day heading to his home. “And as I walked in, I said, ‘God, you gotta help me now because I can’t do it anymore.’ And I remember thinking of my family. And then I remember thinking, ‘If I did [kill myself], then it would give everybody who watches State of Mind the green light to do it too.’ ” And that stopped him from making that fatal choice.
The General Hospital actor recalled, “Somebody asked me why I think I have bipolar disorder. And I said, ‘I always believed that God wanted me to suffer so I can prevent other people from suffering.’ That’s the key to me, opening up to you right now as deep as I can. Because I know other people are listening.”
Tell us what you think. How do you feel about Maurice Benard’s confession? And after you share your views, check back on our site for more General Hospital news.
[…] the son of GH icon Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos), debuted on the ABC soap in 2018 when he played a younger version of Sonny in an episode celebrating the […]