LOS ANGELES – The death of 43-year-old Billy Miller, an actor best known for his role on the soap opera “The Young and the Restless,” was due to suicide, his mother has confirmed.
Patricia Miller wrote in a statement shared on Xthe platform formerly known as Twitter, that her son suffers from bipolar disorder and that “in the end, the illness won the battle.”
“He fought hard and bravely for years against bipolar depression. “He did everything he could to control the disease,” she wrote. “He loved his family, his friends and his fans, but in the end the disease won the battle and he gave up his life.”
The statement was shared on X by Billy Miller’s manager, who publicly announced his death in a statement to Variety on Sunday.
Sunday would have been the actor’s 44th birthday.
Actor Billy Miller poses with an award for “The Young and the Restless” during the 41st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards on June 22, 2014 in Beverly Hills, California.
Jason Kempin/Getty Images
According to the magazine, Billy Miller died on Friday in Austin, Texas.
In addition to his role on Young and the Restless, for which he won three Emmys, Billy Miller has also appeared on television shows such as General Hospital, Suits, Ray Donovan, NCIS and Truth Be Told. .”
What you should know about bipolar disorder
Billy Miller was far from alone in the battle against bipolar disorder: According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 3% of adults in the United States live with the condition.
In recent years, high-profile figures including singers Mariah Carey, Selena Gomez and Bebe Rexha, former NBA player Delonte West and college basketball coach Joanne P. McCallie have all publicly revealed their own struggles with mental illness.
MORE: Nearly 50,000 Americans died by suicide in 2022, a record number, CDC says
Bipolar disorder is defined by the NIMH as a “mental illness that causes unusual changes in a person’s mood, energy, activity, and concentration” that are more severe than the usual highs and lows that people experience.
There are three different types of the disorder: bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder and cyclothymic disorder.
According to the NIMH, all three types experience drastic mood swings, ranging from very bright and energetic, called manic episodes, to very low and sad, so-called depressive episodes.
The different moods and frequency of changing moods can affect a person’s everyday functions, as well as their sleep and activity levels.
According to the NIMH, bipolar disorder is most commonly diagnosed in late teens and early adulthood.
It is a condition that requires lifelong treatment, which can range from medication to professional talk therapy.
The NIMH notes that in many cases, people with bipolar disorder also suffer from other mental illnesses, such as anxiety disorders and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and may struggle with drug or alcohol abuse or eating disorders.
Symptoms of bipolar disorder include noticeable changes in mood, sleep and activity levels, and mood swings ranging from manic to depressive, according to the NIMH.
People who fear that they or a loved one may have bipolar disorder or another mental illness should seek help from a doctor.
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, substance abuse or other mental health crises, please call or text the new three-digit area code 988. You can reach a trained crisis counselor free of charge, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also visit 988lifeline.org.