Kerry backs Mariah in her struggles with bipolar

KERRY Katona famously caused concern with her erratic appearance on ITV’s This Morning in 2008, revealing her slurred speech was down to medication she had taken for her bipolar disorder.

And in light of singer Mariah Carey’s admission she has secretly been struggling with bipolar II for years, former Atomic Kitten star Kerry, pictured, bravely made a return to the breakfast show to discuss her own ongoing battle with mental illness.

The mother of five chatted to hosts Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford about the stigma surrounding the condition and how it impacts her daily life with her family – a decade on from her controversial interview with Phillip Schofield and Fern Britton.

Bipolar II is said to be difficult to diagnose, although the difference between bipolar I and II is that bipolar II sufferers won’t have experienced a full manic episode.

Looking the picture of health, Kerry – who donned a long, red wig for her TV appearance – spoke passionately about raising awareness and ending the stigma surrounding mental health.

Kerry said: ‘I’m absolutely over the moon Mariah has been open about it. Back then it was such a taboo, so someone with such a big platform talking about mental health - she’s going to help others.’

The reality TV star detailed how the lows affect her daily life and in particular her relationship with her children – Molly, Lily-Sue, Max, Heidi and Dylan-Jorge.

‘The lows can be quite difficult, there are times when I stay in bed,’ she explained. ‘People can think it’s attention-seeking – get up and get on with it!’