Jessica Marais reveals bipolar disorder struggle to Australian Women’s Weekly

MUCH-loved Aussie actress Jessica Marais from Love Child and Packed to the Rafters has opened up for the first time about her battle with bipolar disorder, detailing how it has plagued her since she was 12.

Hit: Jessica Marais from Packed To The Rafters

MUCH-LOVED Aussie actress Jessica Marais has opened up about her battle with bipolar disorder for the first time.

In an interview with The Australian Women’s Weekly, Marais revealed bipolar episodes have been a part of her life since she was 12.

“There’s a history of bipolar in my family and I was diagnosed at one point with bipolar,” she told the mag. “I’ve had cognitive therapy training, so I choose not to be medicated.

Marais, also starred in Nine’s series Love Child.

“I have developed ways to talk myself down from any ledges I find myself on. And I am very lucky that I have a very patient partner (fellow Aussie actor James Stewart) who supports me.”

Marais, who rose to fame in Seven’s Packed To The Rafters says her illness is very manageable, but it still plagues her life.

“There’s probably one day a month when I am an absolute mess.”

She credits her own two-year-old daughter Scout and partner James Stewart, whom she met on Rafters, for pulling her out of the tough times.

Jessica Marais, James Stewart and baby Scout.

But she says the trauma of watching her father collapse and die of a heart attack in front of her when she was nine-years-old has never left her.

“In my case, it’s hard to separate what is due to trauma or stress and what is due to a simple chemical imbalance. Suffice to say, it’s become a manageable part of my life. I acknowledge it, I know when an episode is coming on and I work hard to manage it.”

The 29-year-old says she doesn’t know whether her father’s death triggered her bipolar or whether it was always destined to be part of her life.

Jessica Marais and partner James Stewart during the Red Carpet Arrivals ahead of the 56th TV Week Logie Awards 2014.

She said her confident exterior hides the fact she is actually very introverted and quiet in real life.

“I am one of those people who is all or nothing,” she added.

“When I hit an exhausted patch, I turn my phone off, unplug and go to bed for a week.”

Marais said she chose to speak out about her struggle with mental illness because she believed it was important to “talk about depression” and remove the stigma.

Marais next plays 60s entertainment legend Carlotta in an ABC telemovie which will air on June 19 at 8.30pm.

If you or someone you know needs help please contact Lifeline (13 11 14), beyondblue (1300 22 46 36) or the Salvo Care Line (1300 36 36 22).

Jessica Marais hopes that speaking out about her bipolar disorder will encourage conversation about mental illness.