General Hospital News: Maurice Benard and Wife Recall A Dark Moment

General Hospital’s Maurice Benard has never been shy about his struggles with mental illness, and his fans have always appreciated his frankness with the subject.

Maurice Benard Opens Up

Earlier this year, the man behind Sonny Corinthos published Nothing General About It: How Love (and Lithium) Saved Me On and Off General Hospital, and he has continued to open up about his experiences since then.

In a recent episode of his show, State of Mind, Benard thanked his wife for everything she’s done to help him through it all, and he shared that selected clip on his Instagram account.

“My wife Paula joins me to share her truth being married to me and some of the tough moments that we’ve lived through,” Benard wrote beside the segment.

In the video, the couple has a serious discussion about how Paula has dealt with her husband’s struggles. For instance, the piece opens with Benard admitting that he threatened Paula’s life once – which he’s not proud of – and he then asks his wife what she meant when she told Oprah that “it wasn’t him.”

Paula replies that she understands his actions are not really indicative of his character, saying “something has almost possessed your state of mind.” In cases like this, “the right medication takes those terrible thoughts out of your head.”

After watching the video, one fan thanked Benard for being so forthcoming, explaining that her husband is bipolar, and so she understands the daily challenge and struggles that a couple goes through. “Thank you for your efforts in breaking the stigma,” she wrote. “Bless you and your lovely family.”

Another person was especially impressed with Paula’s commitment and support, noting “everyone needs a Paula to help them.”

A third reply couldn’t say enough about Paula, citing what she read in Benard’s book about her, and how that has helped her own marriage.

“Her contributions and perspectives have helped my husband understand me and my episodes,” she wrote. “In turn, that helps me. Our marriage is stronger than ever bc of Maurice’s courage to write [Nothing General About it], and Paula’s perspectives.” You can watch the preview below and the entire State of Mind video here. General Hospital (GH) airs weekdays on ABC. Check your local listings for airtimes.