Mädchen Amick Shares How Son Sly Handled a ‘Very Intense Spike’ of His Bipolar Disorder

Mar. 15, 2025

Madchen Amick (left) and Sylvester Alexis.Photo:Unique Nicole/Getty;Amanda Edwards/Getty

Unique Nicole/Getty;Amanda Edwards/Getty

Mädchen Amickis sharing an update on her sonSly Alexis’ mental health journey.In an interview withParadeposted on Wednesday, Feb. 19, theTwin Peaksstar, 54, shared that her 32-year-old son Sly — who was diagnosed with bipolar 1 disorder in 2012 and has struggled with substance abuse — has been doing really well.“He’s been great, he’s celebrating 16 months [of] sobriety and [has] been stable,” she told the outlet.Amick explained that Sly had a “bit of a destabilization” in October 2024, but he was able to “recognize” the signs and get medication adjustments from a psychiatric team before things escalated.The actress praised her son’s ability to stay sober during the process and said that played a big role in him taking control of his mental health.“That was one of the huge markers he destabilized and yet, you know, [he] stayed sober and caught his mania really quickly. It was a very intense spike,” she said. “He actually voluntarily admitted himself to a psychiatric hospital so they could get on top of the medications really quickly.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Sylvester Amick-Alexis (left) and Madchen Amick.Michael Tullberg/Getty"It’s always a scary thought to go into a psychiatric hospital, but sometimes it’s just very needed, because a lot of times what they need to do is administer very strong medications in order to get on top of a wave,” Amick continued. “Whether it’s a depressive wave or a manic wave. You just need to be in a really safe environment while they do that, and then hopefully within a few days, you’re safe enough to now go back to whatever your situation is.“TheRiverdalealum added, “It’s something that is always scary as a family member, supporting someone going through it. And [it’s] always scary as the patient, but sometimes very needed.“Amick told the outlet that Sly now works as a certified peer specialist in patient advocacy, and will be helping their family build their own mental health treatment center. The program will be an extension of the family’s non-profitDon’t Mind Me, an inclusive mental health foundation that helps people navigate the mental health care system and provides scholarships if they cannot afford care.“We want to make mental health care accessible to all,” she said.If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.

Mädchen Amickis sharing an update on her sonSly Alexis’ mental health journey.

In an interview withParadeposted on Wednesday, Feb. 19, theTwin Peaksstar, 54, shared that her 32-year-old son Sly — who was diagnosed with bipolar 1 disorder in 2012 and has struggled with substance abuse — has been doing really well.

“He’s been great, he’s celebrating 16 months [of] sobriety and [has] been stable,” she told the outlet.

Amick explained that Sly had a “bit of a destabilization” in October 2024, but he was able to “recognize” the signs and get medication adjustments from a psychiatric team before things escalated.

The actress praised her son’s ability to stay sober during the process and said that played a big role in him taking control of his mental health.

“That was one of the huge markers he destabilized and yet, you know, [he] stayed sober and caught his mania really quickly. It was a very intense spike,” she said. “He actually voluntarily admitted himself to a psychiatric hospital so they could get on top of the medications really quickly.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Sylvester Amick-Alexis (left) and Madchen Amick.Michael Tullberg/Getty

Michael Tullberg/Getty

“It’s always a scary thought to go into a psychiatric hospital, but sometimes it’s just very needed, because a lot of times what they need to do is administer very strong medications in order to get on top of a wave,” Amick continued. “Whether it’s a depressive wave or a manic wave. You just need to be in a really safe environment while they do that, and then hopefully within a few days, you’re safe enough to now go back to whatever your situation is.”

TheRiverdalealum added, “It’s something that is always scary as a family member, supporting someone going through it. And [it’s] always scary as the patient, but sometimes very needed.”

Amick told the outlet that Sly now works as a certified peer specialist in patient advocacy, and will be helping their family build their own mental health treatment center. The program will be an extension of the family’s non-profitDon’t Mind Me, an inclusive mental health foundation that helps people navigate the mental health care system and provides scholarships if they cannot afford care.

“We want to make mental health care accessible to all,” she said.

If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.

source: people.com