General Hospital star Chris McKenna reveals he has bipolar disorder, diagnosed after manic psychotic episode

Chris McKenna is opening up about his health diagnosis.The “General Hospital” star, 48, revealed he has bipolar disorder during an upcoming episode of co-star Maurice Benard’s “State of Mind” podcast, per People.McKenna, who portrays Jack Brennan on the ABC soap, shared that his condition worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It just lingered on and on … the monotony and not, like, moving on with my life,” the actor explained.“I was back at home and it really started to do a number on my mental health in particular.” “Anything, like, specific for you that happened as far as you want to talk about or anything?” Benard, 62, inquired.McKenna took the opportunity to open up about his disorder.

“Well, I’ll talk about the fact that I have bipolar disorder,” he divulged.“This is the first time I’m ever talking about it publicly.”“So, from one bipolar to another bipolar,” Benard responded, “How you doing, brother?”“I’m doing good right now,” McKenna confessed.

“It hasn’t always been the case, but I’m good right now.” The soap star previously struggled with drugs and alcohol.“I had my first breakdown when I was a teenager and then lived my whole life with this disorder undiagnosed,” McKenna added, “which is fascinating in retrospect.” The ABC vet also experienced “heavy cyclothemia,” which is a mood disorder that “causes emotional ups and downs,” per the Mayo Clinic, during COVID.“[It triggered] my first dangerous depression since [I was] a teenager, which was followed by a manic psychotic episode which required hospitalization.”At one point, McKenna dealt with delusions and believed he could read minds.

Despite thinking it was from marijuana use, the television writer eventually accepted his diagnosis once he was hospitalized.“I finally got my diagnosis that I needed my whole life and got on medication, and that’s where I am today.” Meanwhile, Benard, who has played mob boss Sonny...