Celebrities Who Have Opened Up About Mental Health
Proof that anxiety and depression can affect anyone.
Here are 39 celebrities who have opened up about their struggles with depression, anxiety, and mental health.
“I have such debilitating anxiety because of everything going on that I literally wake up in the middle of the night with full-on panic attacks,” she Cara Delevingne in an interview. “Where do I even start? Everything is so horrible, its hard to name one thing. I just think that the world needs so much love. I wish I had the power to send Cupid around the planet, as cheesy as that sounds. You go online and you see everyone saying the worst things to each other, and its hard to stay positive. Its hard not to get eaten alive by all the negativity.”
“I can slip in and out of quite easily,” Adele told Vanity Fair. “I had really bad postpartum depression after I had my son, and it frightened me,” she said. “I didn’t talk to anyone about it. I was very reluctant…Four of my friends felt the same way I did, and everyone was too embarrassed to talk about it.”
“I never, ever slept. Or I was sleeping at a perfect right angle just sitting straight, constantly working at the same time,” he told , describing the anxiety he experienced while filming Deadpool. “By the time we were in post , wed been to Comic-Con, and people went crazy for it. The expectations were eating me alive.”
Paula Dean Has Dealt With Anxiety And Depression
The Food Network star and a former contender on Dancing With The Stars would have never found the success that she now has had she never sought treatment for severe anxiety. It became so bad that by the time she was only 20 years old, she would not even leave the house to buy the ingredients to cook her meals.
Since seeking treatment, her career as a professional chef has taken off. She is beloved all over the world for her Southern cooking and charm, along with poise and charisma. Unlike others who sought treatment while in the public limelight, she received her first television contract after recovering, proving that there is a new life waiting on the other side of mental illness.
Famous People With Schizophrenia Strongly Suspected
Mary Todd Lincoln wife of President Abraham Lincoln has received a historical diagnosis of schizophrenia from experts who studied her and the presidents writings about her behaviors and struggles.
Michaelangelo Anthony Storr, the author of The Dynamics of Creation, writes about reasons to suspect that this, one of historys greatest geniuses of creative talent, legendary artist suffered from schizophrenia.
Vivien Leigh actress who played the impetuous Scarlett OHara in the film, Gone With the Wind, suffered from a mental illness resembling schizophrenia, according to biographer Ann Edwards.
Despite a massive effort to diminish the stigma associated with mental illness in America, strong negative attitudes persist in U.S. culture about schizophrenia and other debilitating mental diseases. Perhaps sharing the stories of celebrities and other famous people with schizophrenia can help change these damaging attitudes, so others do not have to suffer in silence.
The Exact Causes Of Schizophrenia Are Still Unknown However Research Suggests That It Is Triggered By A Combination Of Physical Genetic Psychological And Environmental Factors Like A Stressful Emotional Life Drug Abuse Or Alcoholism In The Past Several Eminent Personalities Have Battled The Condition
The growing awareness of mental health problems has brought in limelight several rare but serious mental illnesses like Schizophrenia. The disorder affects a person’s ability to think, feel, and behave properly. People suffering from this condition, often start hallucinating things that have no existence along with disoriented speech and reflect an impaired ability to function. The patients suffering might often visualise imaginary people and indulge in conversation with them. Although the exact causes of Schizophrenia are still unknown, research suggests that it is triggered by a combination of physical, genetic, psychological and environmental factors like a stressful emotional life, drug abuse or alcoholism. In the past, several eminent personalities have battled the condition.
Why Is This Blog About Famous People With Schizophrenia Important
As we have discussed on Famous people with Schizophrenia, we can conclude that even if we have seen only 1% of the population may have Schizophrenia, we may have added several names of famous people that you may or may not know. However, some of the names you may see may have not publicly admitted their diagnosis but it is suspected due to their behaviour over time.
Finally, this disease is a chronic and debilitating condition that doesnt have a cure but the current treatments can help manage the symptoms. If left unattended or untreated, people with Schizophrenia can become agitated and may have a serious crisis that may require hospitalization.
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Side Note: I have tried and tested various products and services to help with my anxiety and depression. See my , as well as a full list of all products and services our team hasfor various mental health conditions and general wellness.
Celebrities With Schizophrenia Coming Out To Help Others
You wont hear too much about celebrities and schizophrenia in the mainstream news simply because the disorder generally presents during a persons late teens and twenties. Most celebrities and other people of note gain their notoriety during these youthful years. Those with schizophrenia spend these years dealing with the challenges of the illness rather than pursuing stardom.
Read below for a list of famous people with documented cases of schizophrenia, and several that experts strongly suspect have dealt with the disorder in the past or currently suffer from it.
A Former Hollywood Bombshell Advocated Against Harsh Treatments
Gene Tierney was an actress who was the leading lady in multiple films, including the 1944 classic Laura. She struggled throughout her life with mental illness, likely either bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Following difficulties concentrating that affected her film appearances, in 1953, she sought treatment.
She was hospitalized in New York City and later moved to the Institute of Living in nearby Hartford, Connecticut. There, she received dozens of electroshock therapy treatments, which were intended to alleviate her severe depression. She claimed that they stole parts of her memory and spent her later years advocating against the use of electroshock therapy.
A Kickboxing Actor Has Rapid
Jean-Claude Van Damme is an actor and martial artist whose film career rivals that of legends like Jackie Chan. Before coming forward with his mental illness, his life went into a tailspin. He was addicted to cocaine and had been divorced four times.
It turns out, Van Dammes biggest enemy wasnt hiding in the shadows on the screen. It was rapid-cycling bipolar disorder, a condition in which a person has frequent bouts of mania and depression. Whereas diagnoses of bipolar I and II require only one episode of mania and one episode of depression, rapid-cycling bipolar is characterized by four or more incidents each year.
Which Famous Person Has Schizophrenia
Zelda Fitzgerald Zelda Fitzgerald was most famous for being married to American modernist writer F. Scott Fitzgerald. But during her short life, Fitzgerald was a socialite who also had her own creative pursuits, such as writing and painting. Fitzgerald was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1930, at the age of 30.
Of The World’s Most Famous Schizophrenics
Schizophrenia is often misunderstood and even parodied in popular culture. Many people don’t fully understand schizophrenia and are afraid to explore the details of the condition. Like many psychologi
Schizophrenia is often misunderstood and even parodied in popular culture. Many people don’t fully understand schizophrenia and are afraid to explore the details of the condition. Like many psychological conditions, schizophrenia can range in terms of intensity, and affects people in different ways.
People who have schizophrenia can exhibit minor characteristics like being forgetful and disorganized. Some can display symptoms that are much more serious, such as being delusional and listening to voices in their head that encourage them to harm others. Unfortunately, some criminals have committed horrible acts as a result of this mental condition. It is also important to note that multiple personality disorder is different from schizophrenia, although the two conditions are often viewed as the same disease. Also, contrary to popular opinion, schizophrenia isn’t exactly an uncommon condition. HelpGuide.org suggests that about 1 in 100 people will develop schizophrenia at some point in their lives.
These ten well-known schizophrenics all suffered to different degrees; some managed to go on to live fulfilling lives while obtaining treatment, while others’ lives were irrevocably led down dangerous paths and they became tragically defined by the illness.
Demi Lovato Has Bipolar Disorder
Demi Lovato is one of the most vocal advocates today for mental healthcare and decreasing the stigma around mental illness. She has long dealt with bipolar disorder, which may be behind her long struggle with addiction, eating disorders, anxiety, and depression.
Since receiving an accurate diagnosis and getting proper treatment, Lovato has remained on track with managing her bipolar. She is open about her diagnosis and encourages people to seek the care that they need to ensure that they have the highest level of well-being possible. Since she came out with her diagnosis, many other celebrities have, as well.
Can You Date Someone With Schizophrenia
You can date someone with schizophrenia but a serious mental health condition like this can become quite challenging. At times, your partner can experience psychotic behaviours like having hallucinations and delusional thought processes . Moreover, in severe cases, dating is probably out of the question due to the severity of the symptoms which most likely will end up with hospitalization.
What Kind Of Voices Do Schizophrenics Hear
The kind of voices that schizophrenics hear or the characteristics of their auditory hallucinations are said to be male voices that are nasty, repetitive and ask them to do something . Schizophrenics will seem distracted and not present but it may be because they are listening to those voices telling them to do something, giving them instructions, etc. they can become quite agitated and become withdrawn. They may not make any sense and can even stay still for hours without moving or talking.
Albert Einsteins Son Had Schizophrenia
People with schizophrenia are often marked by incredible intelligence, so much so that some have questioned whether genius makes someone more susceptible to the disease. Case in point: Albert Einsteins second son, Eduard, was a particularly brilliant student who held all of the promises as his father.
Eduard wanted to become a psychoanalyst, but because of the symptoms of mental illness that were developing, he had to be hospitalized multiple ties, beginning in his twenties. The Einstein family has since used Eduards place in their lineage was grounds for advocating the cause of helping people who are living with schizophrenia.
The Founder Of Pink Floyd May Have Had Schizophrenia
Syd Barrett is most famous for being the founder of the British rock band Pink Floyd, in which he sang, wrote music, and played guitar for many years in the groups early history. During his years with the band, which ended in 1968, he spiraled into drug abuse that was coupled with psychosis.
Barrett never came out publicly as having schizophrenia, but anecdotal evidence suggests that the disease may have caused his delusional and psychotic behavior. In the 1970s, he moved back in with his mother and died in her home when he was 60 years old.
The Most Common Early Warning Signs Include:
While these warning signs can result from a number of problemsnot just schizophreniathey are cause for concern. When out-of-the-ordinary behavior is causing problems in your life or the life of a loved one, seek medical advice. If schizophrenia or another mental problem is the cause, getting treatment early will help.
Drew Barrymore Is Candid About Her Depression
One of the most famous former child stars today is Drew Barrymore, who played Elliots little sister in the 1980s classic, ET: The Extra-Terrestrial. She began taking drugs and drinking as a child and soon found herself spiraling into the throes of addiction. Along with addiction came depression.
The depression became so severe that Barrymore even attempted suicide. She has since cleaned up her act and, in sharing her own personal experiences in public forums, has become an ardent advocate for people receiving treatment for both addiction and depression.
Famous Artists Who Had Schizophrenia
Vincent Van Gogh
Famed and celebrated artist, Vincent Van Gogh, struggled with his mental illness for much of his life. Van Gogh was born in 1853 in Zundert, Netherlands. At the age of 16, Van Gogh obtained a job as an international art dealer.
In 1873, he moved to London and would often include sketches in his letters home to his younger brother Theo. Upon moving to Brussels in 1880, Van Gogh worked on perfecting his sketching.
Van Gogh never received an official diagnosis of schizophrenia. However, researchers have found documents of his behaviors, which point to characteristics of the disorder. According to some sources, he heard voices stating, Kill him when arguing with fellow painter, Paul Gauguin. Van Gogh decided to cut off part of his own ear instead.
Within 10 years, he has created roughly 2,100 pieces of artwork, including 800 oil paintings and 700 drawings. Although Van Gogh only sold 1 painting in his whole life, he is now considered to be a world-renowned painter with works in famous museums around the world. He is also a well-known famous person with schizophrenia.
On the other hand, many famous people with schizophrenia were able to live healthy lives and contribute to society through art, literature, and sciences. Although there is still a negative stigma toward schizophrenia, the creations these individuals can contribute are vast and plentiful.
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Bipolar Disorder Can Also Severely Impact Peoples Quality Of Life
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is characterized by extreme mood swings. The person can go into a state of mania, in which he or she may not sleep for days at a time and engage in impulsive and even self-destructive behaviors, like binge drinking and spending money that isnt in the bank.
At the other extreme is depression, which is characterized by an extremely low mood and lethargy. The person may not want to get out of bed or leave the house for weeks at a time. People with bipolar can be particularly prone to addictive behaviors and damaging relationships, but with the proper treatment and support, they can live incredibly successful lives.
Celebrities/ Famous People With Schizoaffective Disorder
Schizoaffective Disorder is a serious mental condition in which a person loses contact with real life. In Schizoaffective Disorder, a person experiences the symptoms of both and Mood Disorder .
Schizoaffective disorder is a serious mental condition that leads to depression
While browsing through the net, I came across a few famous people who had Schizoaffective Disorder
No doubt, there are only a few famous people with Schizoaffective Disorder because this disorder affects people in early adulthood. But still some of them became successful in life despite suffering from this disorder. Read this poignant narrative of a person suffering from Schizoaffective Disorder
Listed below are some clinical trials investigating new treatments for Schizoaffective Disorder.
Diary Of A Madman And Diagnosis Of Poprishchin
Diary of a Madman is in the form of the diary of Axenty Ivanovich Poprishchin, a Ukrainian civil servant in his 40s. The story starts with an entry for 3 October . The day does not start well for Poprishchin, who gets up late and is late for work. Poprishchin notes in his diary that later that day he thinks he hears two dogs talking to each other in Russian. He further notes: It cant be true, I must be drunk.’ But I hardly ever drink. Things go downhill quickly: Poprishchin has increased trouble at work, and on 13 November he notes that he reads letters from the dogs to each other.
On 5 December Poprishchin records that he read in the newspaper about the dispute of the succession of King Ferdinand VII of Spain . On a date written April 43rd, 2000 he writes: Today is a day of great triumph. There is a king of Spain. He has been found at last. That king is me. I only discovered this today. The date for the next entry in the diary is 86th Martober, between day and night . Poprishchin goes to work after a three week absence and then proceeds to greatly offend his boss and coworkers. Later, in an entry dated as No date, Poprishchin writes that he had been in a large crowd but did not reveal identity The date of the last entry of the diary is . Poprishchin notes that people are pouring cold water over his head, his head is spinning, the sky whirls.
Vincent Van Gogh 1853 1890
Artist
Age of Diagnosis: Unknown
Individual History: Among the most famous schizophrenic people is world renowned artist Vincent Van Gogh. van Gogh was a Post-Impressionist Dutch painter, whose work had a far-reaching influence on 20th-century art. His work included portraits, self portraits, landscapes and still life of cypresses, wheat fields and sunflowers. He was reported to have drawn as a child but did not paint until his late twenties. He completed many of his best-known works during the last two years of his life. In a short period of time, he produced more than 2,100 works of art, including 860 oil paintings and more than 1,300 watercolors, drawings, sketches and prints. The artist lived in a time when schizophrenia had not yet been identified as a disorder, but many medical professionals today believe van Gogh suffered from it. His unstable moods and a eccentric personality led 150 doctors to hypothesize a posthumous diagnoses. Van Gogh had recurring psychotic episodes in the last two years of his life, and at age 37, he committed suicide by shooting himself in the chest with a revolver.
Final Thoughts On Famous People With Schizophrenia
Of course, this is simply a small sampling of all of the famous people and celebrities who have dealt with schizophrenia. They are in no way more special than any other person, but do show that it is possible to maintain a diagnosis of schizophrenia and still contribute to society and become wildly successful in your career and personal life!
List Of Famous People With Schizophrenia
Adèle Hugo This was the daughter of renowned French writer Victor Hugo. Her story and battle with schizophrenia is documented in the film The Story of Adele H. She lived in an upscale mental institution outside of Paris, France until her death. The illness also was found in other members of the Hugo family, but is less documented. It has been noted that Victor Hugos brother Eugène also had schizophrenia. Much of what we know regarding her life can be derived from her personal diaries and letters.
Alan Aldas Mother You may know Alan Alda from the highly popularized TV series M*A*S*H. He has discussed that his mother suffered from paranoid schizophrenia. He said that his mother having the illness was extremely embarrassing for him.
Alexander Skip Spence The Canadian-born American musician and singer-songwriter suffered from schizophrenia. He was the co-founder of the group Moby Grape and played guitar for the group until 1969. He was also the drummer for Jefferson Airplane on their debut album.
Andy Goram He is a former professional Scottish football goalkeeper. He played for Oldham Athletic and Hibernian. He is widely remembered for starting for Rangers during the 1990s and was often referred to as The Goalie. In the early 2000s, he was regarded by a fan poll as the greatest Rangers goalie of all-time. Goram is well known for having suffered from a mild case of schizophrenia.
Mary Todd Lincoln 1818 1882
Wife of Abraham Lincoln and First Lady of the United State
Age of Diagnosis: Unknown
Individual History: Mary Todd Lincoln was the wife of Americas 16th President Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln was highly motivated to pursue his increasingly successful law career, and Mary Todd Lincoln had the same fierce ambition for success. She was a member of a large, wealthy Kentucky family, and was well educated. Before she married Lincoln, Mary was courted by his long-time political opponent Stephen Douglas. She and Lincoln had four sons together, only one of whom outlived her. In February 1862 her son Willie died at the age of 11 years old. After his death Mary spent a considerable amount of money to pay for mediums and spiritualists to try and contact her dead son. She supported her husband throughout his presidency. She witnessed his fatal shooting when they were together in the Presidents Box at Fords Theatre on Tenth Street in Washington. The First Lady had a history of migraines, mental illness, mood swings, fierce temper, public outbursts throughout Lincolns presidency, as well as excessive spending. Many historians and psychologists speculate that Mary suffered from bipolar disorder and/or Schizophrenia.
Abraham Lincolns Wife May Have Had Schizophrenia
Mary Todd Lincoln grew up in affluent Kentucky family that provided her with the best education that a girl could receive in the Antebellum South. She went on to become one of the most successful women in the country and supported her husband during his ambitious political rise.
Her life was also marked by immense personal tragedy, as she witnessed the assassination of her husband and outlived all but one of her children. Her temperament could be wild at times and included psychotic outbursts, sometimes in public. She even contacted mediums to attempt to contact the spirit of her dead son. Anecdotal evidence leads some researchers to believe that the former first lady may have had schizophrenia.
Why Do Schizophrenics Laugh So Much
It is associated with altered mental states or mental illness, such as mania, hypomania or schizophrenia, and can have other causes. Paradoxical laughter is indicative of an unstable mood, often caused by the pseudobulbar affect, which can quickly change to anger and back again, on minor external cues.
One Of The Beach Boys Had Schizophrenia
Another highly creative, genius mind that also dealt with schizophrenia was Brian Wilson, one of the Beach Boys from the 1960s. His style of music became one of the most innovative of his era, but he also went through a prolonged period of drug and alcohol abuse.
Following the death of his father, Wilson became secluded and spent the better part of two years locked at home, doing little more than taking drugs, drinking alcohol, overeating, and sleeping. He was later diagnosed with schizophrenia after admitting that he heard voices. After receiving treatment, he re-entered the music scene and was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He also was honored for his lifetime contribution to music.
Famous Schizophrenics In Literature
Jack Kerouac
When looking through Kerouacs medical records while in the United States Navy, it appears he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. While in boot camp, Kerouac spent 67 days in the psychiatric ward.
After much evaluation, records indicate he had dementia praecox, which is the old diagnosis for schizophrenia. As a result of his diagnosis, Kerouac was deemed unsuitable to serve in the navy. After leaving, Kerouac focused his career on being a novelist, poet, and writer.
Zelda Fitzgerald
Zelda Fitzgerald, the wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald, was a socialite during her time. She was born in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1900 to a father who was an attorney and involved in politics in the state. She was a wild child, fearless, and throughout her adolescence. Eventually, her carefree spirit became an iconic symbol in the 1920s era.
At the age of 30, Zelda received a schizophrenia diagnosis. Her mood was described as fluctuating, she would be depressed, then it would move into a manic state. Today, she would also be diagnosed with bipolar disorder as well. As the wife of a famous writer, her mental illness was publicly known across the country.
After the diagnosis, Zelda spent many years in and out of mental health institutions until her death in 1948. During these years, Zelda enjoyed expressing herself creatively through writing and painting as an outlet.