Bipolar disorder is a serious disease that affects thousands of people. While many people suffer quietly out of fear of criticism or spend their lives wondering what is wrong with them and never being diagnosed, some brave souls are willing to share their struggles with the world in hope of helping others.

Renee Russo recently opened up about her struggles with Bipolar Disorder on The Queen Latifah Show and admitted that she struggled to understand her problems for a long time.

“My mom said my whole childhood … was stop and go,” said Russo. “And then I stopped and was like, ‘Whoa,’ that was it for me. I didn’t really expect to say this, but that was really it for me.”

EXCLUSIVE — Rene Russo's startling confession: "I am bipolar" http://t.co/A17eYNSUZb pic.twitter.com/fmtAoUlaXr

— People magazine (@peoplemag) October 14, 2014

Russo said a short time later she started taking medication for her disorder, but before that she suffered a breakdown that not only scared her, but gave her a wakeup call as well.

“I literally crashed, hit a wall and couldn’t get out of bed. I thought it was depression, but if you take antidepressants it speeds you up more.”

“I haven’t shared this,” Russo continued. “I have friends who don’t want to go on medication, and they are suffering.”

#ReneRusso has #bipolardisorder: Joins Catherine Zeta Jones, Demi Lovato #depression #bipolar http://t.co/HAiwkCWqnd pic.twitter.com/Y8zBcKS1md

— TheImproper Magazine (@TheImproperMag) October 15, 2014

Latifah thanked Russo for sharing her struggles with the world and assured her that she would help a lot of other people who are suffering from the same disease.

“Thank you so much for sharing that,” said Latifah. “That can really help some people.”

Other celebrities have also recently opened up about their own bipolar disorder struggles, including Demi Lovato and Catherine Zeta Jones.

You can watch Russo on The Queen Latifah Show when it airs on October 30.