Gabrielle Anwar Opens Up About Decades-Long Battle with Bipolar Disorder and Finding Healing Through Family
Hollywood star Gabrielle Anwar, known for her iconic role in “Scent of a Woman,” reveals a decades-long struggle with undiagnosed bipolar disorder, and how finding purpose through her grandchild has brought her a newfound sense of peace.
Gabrielle Anwar captivated audiences in the 1990s, becoming a recognizable face in Hollywood.But behind the glamour, Anwar was silently battling a mental health condition that would profoundly impact her life for years. In a candid, as-told-to essay, the 54-year-old actress shares her journey with bipolar disorder – a diagnosis that came after years of emotional turmoil, misdiagnosis, and a desperate search for stability.Looking back at childhood photos, Anwar recognizes a “hollow and vacant” little girl, a reflection of the emotional instability she experienced from a young age. Growing up in a generation lacking the nuanced understanding of mental health we have today, her parents were ill-equipped to provide the support she needed.
“My parents didn’t have the tools to help me. Like many from their generation, they lacked the vocabulary and empathy we now have around mental health,” Anwar explains.
Her struggles manifested in adolescence, with what she now believes was her first manic episode coinciding with the onset of menstruation. Expelled from school and consumed by shame, Anwar began to recognize the extreme swings in her emotional state – a life lived perpetually between euphoria and devastation.
Acting as Both Escape and Expression
Anwar found solace and an outlet in acting, landing her first role at 16. The stage allowed her to channel her intense emotions, even as she privately battled depression. A move to Los Angeles and a fast succession of roles, including the unforgettable tango scene with al Pacino in “scent of a Woman,” propelled her career.
However, the demands of Hollywood and personal life took their toll. The birth of her daughter, Willow, at 23 – conceived during a one-night stand following a breakup – added another layer of complexity.Ultimately, Anwar sought help and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. While the diagnosis brought relief in understanding her pain, it also came with the realization that there was no simple cure.
Resisting Treatment, facing the Consequences
For years, Anwar resisted medication, embracing a holistic lifestyle and viewing pharmaceuticals with skepticism.She admits to being drawn to the “highs” of mania, finding a sense of power in them. However, the inevitable “lows” were devastating, marked by violent rages that terrified those around her.
“I experienced violent rages that frightened the people I loved.
