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- I was a famous actor who prioritized fame over family. Now, I’m making up for it as a grandmother. (businessinsider.com)
Actress Gabrielle Anwar Opens Up About Bipolar Disorder Journey and Finding Peace as a Grandmother
Gabrielle Anwar, a prominent face in Hollywood during the 1990s, has revealed her decades-long struggle with undiagnosed bipolar disorder while raising three children. Now 54, Anwar has found healing and a renewed sense of purpose through her granddaughter and a strengthened relationship with her daughter.
Reflecting on her childhood, Anwar recognizes the early signs of her struggle. She recalls feeling “hollow and vacant” as a child, acknowledging that her parents lacked the understanding and resources to address mental health issues.
By adolescence, Anwar experienced emotional instability, marked by extreme highs and lows. She believes her first manic episode occurred around age 11.
Anwar’s acting career began at 16, providing an outlet for her emotional extremes. While acting offered a sense of vitality, she privately battled depression.
Her move to Los Angeles and subsequent success, including the iconic tango scene with Al Pacino in “Scent of a Woman,” masked her inner turmoil. Anwar became a mother at 23, a time marked by personal relationship challenges.
She eventually sought help and received a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, a moment of both relief and heartbreak.
Anwar initially resisted medication, viewing pharmaceuticals as a flaw. The highs of mania also provided a sense of power she was reluctant to relinquish.
However, the lows became unbearable, marked by violent rages that impacted her loved ones. Anwar credits her husband for staying by her side despite the challenges.
She eventually found the right medication in her 40s, emphasizing that healing is a process.
While motherhood was always Anwar’s purpose, she admits to not always being emotionally available for her children due to her own struggles. However, becoming a grandmother has offered a second chance. Anwar and her daughter have rebuilt their relationship, and she now cherishes the opportunity to be a loving and present grandmother.
Anwar’s story is one of resilience and hope. She has found peace and wholeness, embracing her journey of healing and self-discovery.