Today, we delve into a profoundly moving and personal revelation from Maurice Benard, the actor who has embodied the complex and iconic Sonny Corinthos for decades. In a rare and deeply vulnerable

solo episode of his podcast, State of Mind, Maurice opened his heart like never before, revealing the raw struggles he faced navigating severe mental health challenges during one of

the most isolating periods of his life. Fans and listeners alike were left teary-eyed as the actor peeled back the curtain on the man behind the mob boss persona.

Maurice, renowned for his empathetic interviews with fellow celebrities about mental health, set aside the usual format to confront his own story head-on. His candid disclosure came at a unique intersection where his on-screen chaos as Sonny mirrored the turmoil of his real life, blurring the line between fiction and reality. During this vulnerable stretch, Maurice’s wife, Paula, and their son, Joshua, had traveled to Europe for a much-needed two-week escape, leaving him alone in the quiet house—a silence that amplified the shadows of his own anxiety.

Paula and Joshua have long been anchors for Maurice, helping him navigate the turbulent waves of bipolar disorder with patience and gentle guidance. Without them, every sleepless night, every rising panic, felt magnified. At the same time, Maurice was deeply immersed in Sonny’s storyline, where the character spirals into chaos after abandoning his medications. Channeling this volatility on set, day after day, began to infiltrate Maurice’s real life, turning acting into an unwelcome reflection of his inner battle.

As the days dragged on, anxiety mounted like an approaching storm. Nights became battles; around 2:00 a.m., he would jolt awake, trembling and with his heart racing, unable to find the solace of sleep. Exhaustion set in, and desperation drove him to cycle through doctors, therapists, and specialists in search of relief. Amid this, it was his insightful daughter, Kayla, who finally offered the grounding advice that cut through the fog: “Dad, pick one person and stick with them. Scattering your energy won’t heal you.”

Reflecting on his history with manic highs and crushing lows, Maurice noted that insomnia terrified him the most. Sleep deprivation, he explained, is a force that can destabilize anyone fighting a mental health battle. Even with medication prescribed to calm the storm, the side effects were overwhelming—dizziness, nausea, and a sense of disconnection that made the world feel alien. Yet it was the quiet support of friends, including fellow General Hospital stars Steve Burton and Jonathan Jackson, that became a lifeline, wrapping him in a shield of compassion that eased the suffocating isolation.

Maurice’s journey wasn’t linear. Attempts to find the right treatment led to intense setbacks, culminating in the bold, high-stakes decision to go off all medications cold turkey. The withdrawal was brutal. Sleepless nights stretched endlessly. His body shook uncontrollably, and fear of falling unconscious only worsened his state. In those moments of utter vulnerability, doubts whispered relentlessly that he might never regain balance. But Maurice clung to the belief that enduring the discomfort was preferable to living in the haze of unreliable treatments.

One particularly harrowing morning, he reached out to a trusted confidant—Vanessa Marcil, the actress who famously played Brenda Barrett, Sonny’s passionate love interest. For over three hours, Vanessa listened without judgment, offering both emotional support and practical action by securing an emergency appointment with a specialist. Their shared history on General Hospital created a bond that made her presence profoundly grounding, reminding Maurice that he was not alone in his struggle.

Yet life and work waited for no one. Despite already taking time off for health reasons, production schedules pressed him back to set. Eight episodes awaited in his first two days back, each demanding a depth of emotional intensity that tested his resilience. Maurice powered through on sheer will, drawing from Sonny’s inner strength to mask his fragility. But it was the reunion with Paula and Joshua that unleashed the torrent of emotion he had been holding in. Collapsing into a chair at home, he sobbed, confessing his fears and perceived failures as a father and husband.

Joshua, ever the bright light in his father’s storm, broke the tension with humor: “Dad, that was an epic monologue straight out of a soap opera scene. You nailed it.” This blend of love and levity became the turning point, illustrating how humor and family support can pierce even the deepest despair and mark the first step toward healing.

Maurice’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of emotional honesty. He urges fans to embrace vulnerability, to speak their truths, and to release the pressure that builds silently within. “You’re tougher than your fears suggest. Just keep stepping ahead, one breath at a time,” he advised. His journey demonstrates that admitting vulnerability is not weakness but the first step toward true resilience.

While Maurice battled personal demons off-screen, Port Charles itself continues to boil with drama. The Quartermain estate will soon host a will reading that promises to shake the foundations of the powerful family. Monica Quartermain’s legacy, laced with long-buried secrets, will unveil her long-lost sister Veronica Bard, whose sudden appearance threatens to upend family dynamics and inheritance. Tracy Cordemain, ever the opportunist, faces the prospect of losing control of the mansion she has long dominated. With scheming lawyer Martin Gray orchestrating possible deceptions behind the scenes, viewers can expect gasps, accusations, and courtroom battles in the coming week.

Meanwhile, Port Charles’ romantic tensions simmer. Britt West’s magnetic return ignites old flames with Jason Morgan, challenging loyalties and testing boundaries. Sunny Corinthos navigates the delicate dance of romance and strategy with ADA Justine Turner, while rising stars Gio Palmyeri and Emma Scorpio Drake explore a tender and evolving connection. Molly Lansing Davis finds herself drawn to Cody Bell, a rugged cowboy whose charm challenges her carefully structured life. And Justinda Bracken and Michael Corinthos cultivate a bond built on mutual protection and underlying romantic potential.

Maurice Benard’s candid revelations about his mental health struggles offer fans a unique lens to appreciate the man behind Sonny Corinthos. In a world of scripted betrayals, family intrigues, and on-screen passions, his story reminds viewers that real-life struggles are as compelling and emotional as any soap opera plot. Through honesty, resilience, and the support of loved ones, Maurice navigates both the pressures of fame and personal adversity, leaving fans inspired by his courage.

ABC General Hospital continues to deliver a mix of intense drama, shocking revelations, and heartfelt human stories. From the Quartermain estate upheaval to the evolving romance of Port Charles’ younger generation, the coming weeks promise twists that will keep fans on the edge of their seats. And through it all, Maurice Benard’s journey stands as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that even in the darkest storms, there is light to guide the way.