General Hospital Chris McKenna Breaks His Silence on Mental Health in Emotional Podcast Interview

General Hospital (GH) spoilers reveal that Maurice Benard recently had a special guest on his State of Mind podcast. He has interviewed various GH co-stars over the years and this time it was Chris McKenna’s turn.

The One Life to Live alum now portrays Jack Brennan on the ABC sudser and he spoke about his mental-health journey that culminated in a bipolar disorder diagnosis.

One Life to Live alum Portrays Jack Brennan

McKenna told Benard “I lived my whole life with this disorder undiagnosed… and then experienced heavy psychothemia.” People with psychothemia aka cyclothymia, a chronic mood disorder, experience manic-depressive episodes that are less polarized than bipolar disorder.

General Hospital’s Chris McKenna Share Personal Insight

McKenna explained that during Covid he “had my first dangerous depression since I was a teenager, which was followed by a manic psychotic episode which required hospitalization. And that’s when I finally got the diagnosis that I needed my whole life.”

Fortunately for the thespian, he “got on medication, lithium. And that’s where I am today.”

Chris McKenna Explains Cyclothymia

McKenna went on to say that during Covid he found himself “paralyzed with the fear of death. I couldn’t figure out what the point of living was… or how I’d ever find joy again. I tried to believe I’d find it, but it was nothing but bleak, dark thoughts.”

That time period was exacerbated by insomnia: “there was no way out. I had to drink myself to sleep or use marijuana.”

The actor went on to say that he is doing better today and we applaud his words which will help countless people in the same situation.

What Happens Next in PC?

As for McKenna’s situation on GH, his character Jack Brennan is about to be blown out of the water due to his own underhanded way of dealing with things.

Jack recruited his girlfriend Carly Spencer’s (Laura Wright) daughter, Joss Jacks (Eden McCoy) into the WSB behind her back. Once Carly found out she vowed to get back at Jack although we’re not sure she’s trying very hard!

Carly is “pretending” to be deeply in love with the traitor, and by all appearances she still is.

Tell us how you think this “romance” will end GH fans!

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