According to reports, 48-year-old Maia Campbell of “In the House” fame is doing great. The daughter, friend and mother has been acting, teaching acting classes and was gearing up for a new role in an upcoming series on TV One, and she’s in the midst of good company as she continues on a more successful path as she deals with bipolar disorder.
In the series, Maia, who is the daughter of author Bebe Moore Campbell, works alongside Cherie Johnson of “Family Matters,” as well as Ken Lawson from “The Parkers.”
In the 1990s, Maia was a star on the rise, co-starring on the hit sitcom with LL Cool J and Debbie Allen. Then everything fell apart after she stopped treatment for her bipolar disorder, turned to drugs, and was arrested multiple times. Viral videos that appeared on the Internet showed Maia disheveled and acting erratically.
In 2010, Maia was arrested for theft and sent to a mandatory mental health facility.
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After reportedly battling bipolar disorder and a drug addiction, Maia is got her life back on track by living at a residential treatment center before transitioning to living on her own. While there aren’t many specific details on this new series, the news is promising.
She recently returned to social media and shared pictures and videos of herself. Her return has fans cheering for her and sharing how good she looks despite her past.
Bipolar Disorder: How Real Is It?
While there were numerous reports of what they said Campbell did during “mental breakdowns,” the truth is, no one really knows. But here are some true symptoms of bipolar disorder:
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Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes extreme mood swings, along with changes in energy, thinking, behavior, and sleep. Symptoms include:
Manic episodes
- A period of extreme high mood, characterized by:
- Feeling very happy, excited, or elated
- Feeling jumpy or wired, more active than usual
- Racing thoughts
- Decreased need for sleep
- Reckless behavior, such as overspending, risky sexual activity, or drinking
- Having an inflated sense of self-worth or self-esteem
Depressive episodes
- A period of intense sadness or despair, characterized by:
- Feeling very down or sad, or anxious
- Feeling slowed down or restless
- Trouble concentrating or making decisions
- Trouble falling asleep, waking up too early, or sleeping too much
- Lack of interest in usual activities
- Thinking about death or suicide
Mixed episodes
A period of both manic and depressive symptoms, which some people describe as the worst part of bipolar disorder
During mood episodes, it can be difficult to carry out day-to-day tasks, go to work or school, and maintain relationships.
Bipolar Misdiagnosis Amongst Black People
Misdiagnosis
Black people are more likely to be misdiagnosed with another condition, such as schizophrenia. This can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment, and can cause undue stress.
Poorer treatment
Black people with bipolar disorder are less likely to receive mood stabilizers, such as lithium, carbamazepine, and lamotrigine. They are more likely to be prescribed antipsychotic medications.
Factors contributing to misdiagnosis and poorer treatment:
Bias: Conscious or unconscious bias in the healthcare system can contribute to misdiagnosis.
Stigma: Stigma around mental health care in Black communities can make people less likely to seek help.
Mistrust: Mistrust of health professionals can be based on historical mistreatment, such as the Tuskegee syphilis study.
Cultural barriers: Cultural barriers between doctors and their patients can make it difficult to get help.
Reliance on family and religion: People may rely on family and religious community for support instead of mental health professionals.
What Maia Wants to Do Now
The mother and talented actress seems to be doing better than ever.
Recently, she posted a video assuring her fans that she was in good spirits and shared a special request she has in regard to her film/television career.
“Everybody keeps asking me, ‘what do I wanna do with my career?’ And honestly, I can say that I really wanna get in touch with Tyler Perry and have him produce my mother [Bebe Moore Campbell]’s book, 72 Hour Hold. It was a monumental book for me. It was a New York Times bestseller and July is Mental Health Awareness Month. So, I’m still on that campaign. Keep me up in prayer. Thank you for praying for me and I’m gonna do my best to make you guys happy,” she said.
According to the Mental Health America National Organization, 72 Hour Hold is “a fictional story [about] a mother coping with her daughter’s bipolar diagnosis, navigating a broken mental health care system, and experiencing stigma associated with mental illness in the Black community.”
Many assumed that the book was inspired by Bebe and Maia’s real-life relationship, but the late author-journalist denied it. She went on to explain in a 2005 interview that the novel was inspired by true events.
“I’m fine, I’m blessed, I’m great. I’m doing excellent,” Campbell said in a radio interview. “Things have been really, really good. They’ve all turned around. I’ve been blessed enough to get my own place. I’ve been spending time with my family. I’ve been in good health. I’ve just been counting my blessings. I’ve been attending church and going to meetings. I’ve been keeping my place clean, I’ve been driving and I’ve been doing some things in the entertainment industry.”
Since then, she’s been off the radar for years but then suddenly reappeared on social media in 2024 looking better than ever. Now armed with what seems like a new lease on life, she’s been posting and sharing stories of her life full of energy and love.
Campbell was also been known to work with the National Association of Mental Illness, which works to increase awareness of mental illness. They have an outreach specifically for African-American and Latino families who are impacted by mental health issues but often don’t know how to find resources or assistance. Moore’s mother co-founded the NAMI Urban Los Angeles chapter and worked steadily to help other African-American families impacted by mental illness before her death from brain cancer.
Family, friends and fans alike are wishing her the best of luck for years to come.
