Let me tell you a story about someone who’s been through it all and come out stronger on the other side. Today, television journalist Jane Pauley is thriving, hosting the iconic CBS Sunday Morning. But her journey wasn't always smooth sailing. In the early 2000s, after nearly three decades of shining on screens like Dateline, NBC Nightly News, and Today, Jane suddenly disappeared from television in 2001. She returned briefly but didn’t address the whispers about why she’d taken a break. Then, in 2003, she decided not to renew her contract with NBC. It wasn’t until 2004 that Jane sat down with her colleague Matt Lauer and revealed the truth: she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Before getting her diagnosis, Jane described how life had become increasingly difficult. "It was like trying to navigate through thick fog," she explained. "Preparing for Dateline interviews felt overwhelming, and I’d been dealing with months of deep depression." That’s when a doctor stepped in and dropped the news. He told her he believed she might be experiencing hypomania—a term she’d never heard before. "At first, I thought it meant big-time mania, something really bad," Jane recalled. "But it wasn’t that extreme. Hypomania refers to mild mania. Ultimately, though, the doctor was saying I had bipolar disorder."
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Life After Diagnosis
For Jane, the diagnosis was both shocking and relieving. "I’d known for a long time that something wasn’t right," she admitted. "I hadn’t felt well for almost a year." She explained that her struggles were partly due to a combination of medications—antidepressants and steroids for hives—that triggered severe mood swings, eventually leading to psychiatric evaluation.
Once diagnosed, Jane was prescribed Lithium, which she says has been a game-changer. "It’s stabilizing my moods and letting me be the real me," she shared. "Mood disorders can be dangerous if left unchecked. Those wild swings between highs and lows need to be brought under control. It’s not just about feeling better—it’s about staying safe."
