I had had some months of depression. Not serious enough to keep me from work. So, I guess you'd call that a mild depression.

When I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder the year I turned 50, it was certainly a shock. But as a journalist, knowing a little bit about a lot of things, I didn't suffer the misconception that depression was all in my head or a mark of poor character. I knew it was a disease, and, like all diseases, was treatable.

Your 40s are a major trough. About the age of 50, feelings of satisfaction begin to rebound and keep rising into your 50s, 60s and 70s, with health being a major factor.

The most likely moment for something incredible to happen to me was the moment I was most certain nothing ever would.

My goal is to see that mental illness is treated like cancer.

A diagnosis is burden enough without being burdened by secrecy and shame.

I've always been profoundly ambivalent about fame. I think it just eats the reality out of you and it can be intoxicating because I like some of it.