Battle of Carrie Fisher's bipolar disorder horrible medication reaction to 'genius' factor.
Prior
to her passing in 2016, Carrie Fisher battled bipolar disorder and drug
addiction for 45 years. The Star Wars actress—best known for playing Princess Leia—was
given the diagnosis in her 20s, after a heroin overdose left her fighting for
her life.
The
actor and author were fervent supporter of mental health issues and was
forthright about her condition. Because she invited her admirers along on her
personal path, this also meant that her addiction became very public.
Many
people loved Fisher's candor, and Todd Fisher, who interviewed General
Hospital actor Maurice Benard for his video podcast series State of Mind,
shares the same admiration.
Carrie
Fisher's brother discusses her fight with bipolar disorder on SOM.
Todd
talked with Catherine Hickland, who plays Sonny, and his wife, Sonny's
portrayer, about their sister Carrie and her battles with bipolar disease.
Extreme
mood swings associated with bipolar disorder include manic and depressive
episodes. Several weeks, months, or even years may pass between these episodes.
Carrie received medical treatment for her ailment, but she also developed a
lifelong drug addiction.
Todd
referred to their bond as "special." Carrie claims that he provided
her with a "warming presence" in her first book, which she dedicated
to him. Carrie wrote several novels, but Postcards from the Edge and its
follow-up, The Best Awful, in particular, gave readers a real understanding of
what it's like to live with bipolar disorder and manic depression.
The
horrifying reactions to medications of Carrie Fisher
In
the interview, Todd adds that doctors initially tried using lithium, which
Benard also needs to manage his bipolar disorder, to control Carrie's mental
health. Fisher eventually needs much more, though, in order to control her
swings.
The
physicians "tried numerous medications on Carrie," according to her
brother, but they "nearly killed her" and left her "on the floor
vomiting," he recollects. Despite all of this, Fisher disclosed that their
family's guiding principle was "the show must go on," and Todd
disclosed that self-medication helped her get through much of her work.
Since
Fisher admitted that she would want to take anything, he took control of her
medication. For years, according to her brother, they believed Carrie would die
from an overdose, but Todd now blames her lack of self-control as the main
factor in her demise.
Todd
also talked about the doctors' efforts to help his sister control her moods,
pointing out that for her, the goal was to maintain equilibrium rather than get
high. Fisher talked openly about the effect that seeing his family abuse drugs
and alcohol had on him, claiming that he ended up acting as the
"designated driver."
Carrie's
best performance, according to Todd, was in the most recent Star Wars film.
In
reference to one of her most well-known parts, Todd claims that the final Star
Wars film featured some of her best actings because of how closely she was
portrayed by Princess Leia. This is because she was "suffering from mental
illness" while being a "strong, intellectual lady who voiced what was
on her mind."
Due
to the fact that she "saw the world in a whole other manner," Todd
even acknowledges that her mental illness played a significant role in the
development of her "genius" artistic flare.
The
tragic death of Carrie Fisher
Four
days after suffering a heart collapse on a flight to Los Angeles, Carrie,
unfortunately, passed away in 2016 at the age of 60. The actress tested
positive for alcohol, cocaine, heroin, morphine, and ecstasy, according to the
coroner's findings.
Debbie
Reynolds, Carrie's mother, suffered a stroke and died at the same hospital the
day after Carrie. Debbie's casket and Carrie's ashes were interred together.