Rene Russo Reveals Battle With Bipolar Disorder

Find out what the actress is saying about her surprising health issue

Rene Russo is opening up about a lifelong battle with bipolar disorder.

During a taping of The Queen Latifah Show this week, the 60-year-old actress revealed a surprising history with the disorder, which causes unexpected changes in mood and behavior.

"What is something in your lives that you've had to push through?" Queen Latifah asked Russo and her Nightcrawler co-star Jake Gyllenhaal during their taping on Monday (full episode airs Oct. 30).

"Bipolar medication," the actress revealed with a laugh.

After an awkward pause, Russo explained more seriously, "Yeah I pretty much hit a wall and my mom said my whole childhood that you're stop and go...And then I stopped and was like, 'Whoa,' that was it for me."

"For all the people that are having trouble and maybe feel bad about taking medication," Russo continued. "I didn't expect to say this, but that was really it for me."

"It's OK; you will make it through," she added, speaking to fans in the audience. "It's not easy but you will make it through."

Latifah followed up by asking why Russo finally accepted she needed help for her health issues. "I literally crashed, hit a wall and couldn't get out of bed," she answered. "I thought it was depression, but if you take antidepressants it speeds you up more. I'm kind of stop and go. I either crash or speed."

"I haven't shared this, but I think it's kind of important," Russo concluded. "I have friends who don't want to go on medication, and they are suffering."