143 Famous People with Bipolar Disorder Jun 27, 2013 by Brandon Gaille For anyone who is bipolar or knows someone who has it, here are 143 inspiring examples of famous people with bipolar disorder that have had tremendous success. But the burden of keeping the diagnosis to herself and constantly living in fear that someone would expose her as well as a particularly tough two years that included a broken engagement to business mogul James Packer eventually encouraged Carey to seek treatment and ultimately share her story. Mariah Carey is a singer and songwriter, perhaps best known for her five-octave vocal range. Bipolar disorder is diagnosed based on the severity, length, and frequency of an individual's symptoms and experiences over their lifetime. Catherine Zeta-Jones has bipolar II disorder, a form that has more extended down periods, following a difficult time in her personal life.Zeta-Jones went through a period of mood swings following an intense period of stress when her husband, Michael Douglas, battled stage IV throat cancer.Adding to the stress was a fight with Douglas' first wife over royalties from the actor's movie . Though there have been several attempts to diagnose Van Gogh's behavior and problems, there is strong evidence that leads many experts to believe he suffered from bipolar disorder. Learn more about seasonal bipolar disorder and how to cope. Catherine Zeta-Jones is a Welsh actress best known for her roles in the movies The Mask of Zorro, Entrapment, and Chicago.. So we decided to honor a few of those musicians who have battled with mental illness against all odds, while giving us wonderful music. When the popular singer, songwriter, and actress Demi Lovato came out publically with the fact that she was suffering from bipolar disorder, there was a public outpouring of support and good wishes for her. Best known for her role in the Terminator movies, Linda Hamilton, 64, has been living with bipolar disorder for decades. Some people have bipolar disorder for years before it's diagnosed for several reasons. A post shared by JM De Guzman . In 2016, West was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and admitted to psychiatric care. Insomnia Tied to Dramatic Rise in Heart Attack Risk, Just 500 Extra Steps a Day Can Lower Heart Disease Risk in Seniors, Study Suggests. Linda Hamilton of "Terminator" fame says she struggled with depression most of her life and was a compulsive eater. R&B/pop singer Chris Brown was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder in 2014 following a string of high-profile . The singer also showed signs of depression in his lifestyle, its common knowledge the level of drugs he took, his lazy attitude polarised by his ecstatic bursts of energy, his bursts of uncontrollable temper and his prolific writing - all symptoms of somebody going through depression. Bipolar disorder formerly known as manic depression is a mental health condition characterized by disabling mood episodes lasting days to weeks at a time. However, as her fame grew in her twenties, so did her struggles with mental illness. The link between creativity and bipolar disorder has long attracted academic and public interest. SELF Magazine: Women's Workouts, Health Advice & Beauty Tips | SELF He divorced four times, was charged with spousal abuse, and was addicted to cocaine. All three types involve clear changes in . Hartley (L) and her daughter Justine pose upon arriving at the press opening of the Los Angeles production of "Kiss Me, Kate" August 24, 2001 at the Shubert Theatre. He described his experience with bipolar disorder as having a sprained brain similar to having a sprained ankle. By speaking out, I hope to help dispel stigma. He revealed hed been self-medicating while on tour with Fall Out Boy to cope with what he later learned were bipolar symptoms. His breakthrough film was 1988s Bloodsport.Ten years after that, he found out he had bipolar disorder. "I'm hopeful we can get to a place where the stigma is lifted from people going through anything alone. She said at the time that medication had helped her find more balance, but "it's a work in progress. Super-talented British singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse suffered from substance abuse and bipolar disorder. The chart-topping singer was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2001, but she told People magazine she lived in denial and isolation for years. #2 Theodore Roosevelt Jr. (1858-1919) The iconic American statesman, author, soldier, explorer, and reformer is suspected to have lived with bipolar I disorder. John Hinckley Jr. was the man who attempted to assassinate U.S. President Ronal Reagan in 1981, making him one of the most notorious famous people with schizophrenia. Kanye West who now legally goes by his nickname Ye is a successful rapper, hip hop musician, record producer, and fashion designer. News obtained the singer's probation. "It was too heavy a burden to carry and I simply couldn't do that anymore. There is no evidence that Kurt ever took lithium and it is . Brand published his first autobiography in 2007 and detailed his struggles with drug abuse in Recovery: Freedom From Our Addictionsin 2017., The leader of the California surfing sound, Wilson wrote and produced nine albums and 16 hit singles in a 3-year span with the Beach Boys. Updated on: April 11, 2018 / 9:37 AM Head writer Bob Guza said, "Maurice wasn't just playing it, he was living it. You May Have Heard of Some of These People. Confirming if famous people have bipolar disorder is difficult, as many people try to assert diagnoses from afar or spread rumors surrounding erratic behavior. Mood episodes may cause a person to feel abnormally happy, energetic, or irritable (known as a manic or hypomanic episode), or very low and empty (known as a depressive episode). For years, Cobain and wife, Courtney Love, abused drugs like Heroin, Cocaine, and pills - even as Cobain struggled with severe depression. Catherine Zeta-Jones: Pauley explains that without mood-stabilizing medication, anti-depressants can be dangerous, producing a "bungee cord effect. Its thought that steroids used to treat hives kick-started her symptoms, which were diagnosed as bipolar disorder. Winston Churchill. I wouldn't know how to tie a rope, know what I mean? A panic attack on an airplane in 1964 led him to stop touring. Bipolar disorder has varying levels of severity and in really severe cases there. The soap world took after real life when the show created a storyline with Benard's character, Sonny Corinthos, diagnosed with bipolar disorder when Benard let it be known he was bipolar. I sought and received treatment, I put positive people around me and I got back to doing what I love writing songs and making music.". Before her diagnosis she had struggled with bulimia, drug addiction and cutting. Kurt Cobain - February 20, 1967 - April 5, 1994. Much of his work dates back to the final two years of his life. "I was actually manic a lot of the time. He later wrote a song called "Manic Depression," which described his trouble with mood swings. ", OConnor, who also has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and borderline personality disorder, according to People, announced in 2020 that she was entering a year-long treatment program for trauma and addiction. For . She was first treated for depression. Catherine Zeta-Jones has bipolar II disorder, a form that has longer down periods, following a difficult time in her personal life. She disclosed that she had bipolar disorder in 2007. Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain was diagnosed as a child with attention deficit disorder (ADD) and bipolar disorder, and his family had a history of suicide. In the 2008 documentary "Acting Class of 1977", the actor announced . Last medically reviewed on August 18, 2022, People with bipolar disorder experience intense mood changes that can last for weeks or more. Duke also co-authored the book "A Brilliant Madness: Living with Manic Depression Illness" in 1992 about her life with bipolar disorder. For people with Bipolar disorder, these episodes can last long periods of time and lead to extreme behaviours. Some of the world's greatest writers have suffered from bipolar disorder. "I found this sometime between the end of high school and beginning of college and it really helped me work some things out reading about it in the perspective of another.". Famous People With Bipolar Disorder. The 54-year-old actress was diagnosed in the '90s. In 2011, she went public with her bipolar disorder II diagnosis, and since then, shes been an outspoken advocate for eliminating the stigma of mental illness. "Every pore of you is crying and you don't even understand why or what," OConnor told Winfrey. This podcast episode asks a serious question. Many high-profile, successful people have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, once known as manic depression. Its when Im the most compassionate. Demi Lovato. Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, has been identified in a number of high-profile, successful people.As per the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 5 million Americans have the disorder. His marriage to Katy Perry lasted less than 2 years. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. As a guest on David Lettermans Netflix series My Next Guest Needs No Introduction, West shared that his mania can bring racing thoughts, irritability, sleep loss, paranoia, or psychosis. I found out recently Im manic depressive. (Manic depression is the previous term for bipolar disorder. ", Famous Bipolar People: "Ted Turner -- Famous Bipolar Entrepreneur. She was not known to have sought treatment for her bipolar disorder. police shooting video sparks calls for new probe", "Bipolar conductor on music and mental illness", "David Gram for the Associated Press (2013-12-27). Many people living with bipolar disorder have demonstrated themselves to be highly creative. A cemetery posted a personal ad for a goose whose mate died. By. But she experienced mood swings and breakdowns throughout her life. Sometimes I was raring to go; other times, just hanging on.". The actor burst onto the scene as an action hero, then branched out into producing and directing, earning two Academy Award nominations. In A Conversation About Bipolar Disorder on YouTubes Artist Spotlight Stories, Halsey says [The album] Manic for me was a celebration because for a long time I had really struggled with my mania.. When not battling depression he had incredible energy and was highly productive. Even centuries ago, some prominent artists were showing symptoms long before a diagnosis (and effective treatment) was available. Famous bipolar individuals of the past include Ernest Hemingway, Frank Sinatra, and Winston Churchill. Unfortunately, bipolar disorder has contributed to the deaths of several famous people including Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse and Virginia Woolf. Mel Gibson is an actor, director, and producer, best known for his action hero roles in movies such as Braveheart and The Patriot.. She lobbied Congress for funding and research and wrote two autobiographies about her illness. In 2000, she married actor Michael Douglas. However, it is important to note that many illustrious people have been diagnosed or speculated to have bipolar disorder including the likes of Issac Newton, Charles Darwin, Abraham Lincoln and many others. In 2011, Van Damme said he took medication for mood swings that he says he had since childhood., Pauley, a TV anchor and journalist, has been in the spotlight since she replaced Barbara Walters on NBCs Todayshow in 1976. People magazine named Gibson the sexiest man alive in 1985. Numerous celebrities have been open about having bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a mental health disorder characterized by extreme mood swings that can range from high-energy, manic episodes to low-energy, depressive episodes. Common symptoms include loss of energy, problems sleeping, difficult concentrating and o n the other side of the spectrum euphoria, needing less sleep, feeling edgy, hyper, irritable and engaging in risky behavior. These . He suffered from substance abuse in addition to having mental health problems. Duke was one of the first celebrities to go public with bipolar disorder, as it is called today. 1 hits under her belt, Carey said she is in a "really good place" and surrounding herself with positive people, including her 11-year-old twins, Monroe and Moroccan. Within the last few years, West has been the subject of both curiosity and criticism for his erratic behavior and social media posts. Apart from acting, Mel Gibson is also praised as a film director, screenwriter, and producer. It makes me bold, brave, loud, and capable of withstanding whatever obstacles the world throws at me. Mariah Carey says she was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2001. Meryman wrote "at the end he had grown suicidal. Newton suffered from huge ups and downs in his moods, indicating bipolar disorder, combined with psychotic tendencies. I describe myself as a rescue dog: I'm fine until you put me in a situation that even slightly smells like any of the trauma I went through, then I flip my lid.". Good, Matthew: Matthew's Good gospel", "Ben Bradlee, legendary Washington Post editor, dies at 93", "With therapy, grit, ex-Cowboy Haley tackles bipolar disorder", "The Specials back on stage after 30 years", "Halsey Opens Up About Being a Reluctant Role Model", "Charles Hamilton Opens Up About Bipolar Diagnosis", "Linda Hamilton says she has bipolar disorder", "Suzy Favor Hamilton: Olympic athlete to Las Vegas escort", "On the Case at Mount Sinai, It's Dr. Data", "Anthony John Hardy, England's famous Camden Ripper", "Beth Hart on how bipolar disorder manifests itself in the process of songwriting", "Kayfabe, Lies and Alibis: Diana (Hart) Smith Shoot Interview", "Mariette Hartley triumphs over bipolar disorder", "Being Ernest: John Walsh unravels the mystery behind Hemingway's suicide", "Hemingway family mental illness explored in new film", "Kristin Hersh: 'I let bipolar disorder colour my early songs', "The Life and Work of Artist Derek Hess Examined Through New Film", "Disgraced NASCAR driver Hmiel had turned his life around", "Cat Hulbert: How I Got Rich Beating Men at Their Own Game", "Seeing Stars: Meg Hutchinson & Bipolar Disorder", "Jesse Jackson Jr.'s Bipolar 2: A Diagnosis Muddled by the Market", "Jill Janus, lead singer of Huntress, found dead aged 43", "Adam Jasinski sentenced to four years in jail", "Eddie Johnson Works at Coping With Manic-Depressive Disorder", "Bellevue family's battle with bipolar disease leads to 'Perfect Chaos' | Bellevue mother, daughter write book to give voice to those with mental illness", "His life is troubling, his fame disturbing", "U.K. Singer-Songwriter Rumer on Battling Depression & Bipolar 2 to Create 'Into Colour', "Monet, Khalo and van Gogh, Their Art and Mental Illness", "Werken met een Bipolaire stoornis Isa Hoes over haar leven met Antonie Kamerling", "Openly Gay Former Wrestler Dies at 40 in Apparent Suicide", "Patrick Kennedy stands up again to talk about his lonely illness", "28 June 2001 Letter to A&E from Margot Kidder Concerning her biography", "Otto Klemperer Behind every great conductor", "Cssia Kiss: 'O Espiritismo me faz feliz, me tranquiliza', "7.30 Report 05/01/2006: Rogers death highlights depression stigma", "Lesbian Macklemore Collaborator on 'Same Love' is Poised for the Big Time", "Preview: Debra LaFave: 'I crossed the line', "A public lecture by Matilde Marcolli mood Disorder Andrew Lange", "AJ Mendez Brooks opens up on her suicide attempt and helping others with mental illness", Assassinating the Reader:A Conversation with Yoon Ha Lee, "Jenifer Lewis's Battle with Bipolar Disorder", "chef Bernard Louiso suicide bipolar disorder", "la-verite-sur-le-suicide-du-chef-bernard-loiseau_", "After death of Canto-pop star Ellen Joyce Loo, Hongkonger with bipolar disorder speaks up about mental illness to raise awareness", "Demi Lovato Speaks Up About Living With Bipolar Disorder", "Shameless star Tina Malone drops weight and her man", "We've got it all except Davina's gleeful frenzy", "Lighting a Spark to Heal Trauma: An Interview with Jesse Zook Mann", "Manziel says he's bipolar, trying for comeback", "Jessica Marais reveals bipolar disorder struggle to Australian Women's Weekly", "Democrat Karen McCarthy of Missouri dies at 63; congresswoman opposed Iraq war, was target of ethics probe", "Daughter of 'UK's toughest' reveals why he suffered violent rages", "Kristy McNichol of 'Family,' 'Empty Nest' comes out as a lesbian", "Burgess Meredith dies at 89 10 September 1997", "Former Eagles Member Randy Meisner Allegedly Threatened Murder-Suicide", "LANL astrophysicist Dimitri Mihalas dies at 74", "Interview: Dr Liz Miller on mental health", "Former North East radio and TV presenter Jonathan Morrell shares his story of depression in the wake of Robin Williams tragedy", "The Boston Case of Charles Merrill Mount: The Archivist's Arch Enemy", "A confident Alison Moyet is beating her demons", "Choroba, kterou trpl zpvk Muk, asto kon sebevradou", "Rich and famous mourn Wall Street's John Mulheren", "Kim Novak says she's bipolar, regrets leaving Hollywood", " " " ", "Bill Oddie reveals he thought he'd die with his bipolar battle last year", "The Cranberries lead singer Dolores O'Riordan, 45, on the band's new album, The Voice and being chased by a bear", "bleeding through makes me want to mosh, and throw up a pointer finger towards my computer", "Famed frontman Steven Page shares his journey through mental illness", "Pauley's struggle with bipolar disorder", "Jane Pauley shares her story: Former Dateline NBC co-host talks about struggle with illness in new book", "Coronation Street 19602000: Where are they now? But Jaclyn [Stapp's wife] kept telling me, 'Embrace it. Vincent Van Gogh The tortured artist, Vincent Van Gogh, is believed to have suffered from bipolar disorder, creating some of his work during manic states. Renowned clinical psychologist Kay Redfield Jamison, PhD, said the 26th president "came into the world a full-blown exuberant." This could be because of bipolar disorder's association with creativity. Despite success as the leader of Seattles grunge rock movement, Cobain struggled with depression and committed suicide at age 27 in 1994., The rock guitar legend got expelled from high school, once stole a car, and lasted just a year in the Army after his commanding officers suggested an early discharge. A: Nah, I'm not that brave or clever. The following are nine famous people who are now speaking out about their experiences living and thriving with bipolar disorder. To help anyone struggling know they're not alone and to have hope", "Ex-New York Times Reporter Jayson Blair On The Day It All Came Crashing Down", "B.C. A growing number of celebrities has opened up about living with bipolar disorder, defined by the Mayo Clinic as a lifelong mental health condition that "causes extreme mood swings that include . ", "The Emma Brockes interview: Frank Bruno | Sport | The Guardian", "Aaron Carter diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder amid troubled times", "Keisha Castle Hughes opens up about bipolar disorder following the death of Charlotte Dawson", "Eason Chan surprises fans with bipolar confession", "CFamilial link between leadership and bipolar disorder", "What Nirvana's Lithium says about religion and mental health", "The plot thickens as crime writer Patricia Cornwell takes 'cyberstalker' to court", "Patricia Answers Your Questions January 2009", "Filmmaker Paul Dalio mines his bipolar disorder for feature debut", "Tall Ferns Star Penina Davidson Shares Her Ongoing Battle With Bipolar Disorder", "From mental illness to basketball success: Tall Ferns star's remarkable journey", "Bipolar: Adam Deacon and Stephen Fry on 'lifelong struggle', "Swadesh Deepak dealing with mental illness", "The Substance and the Light: An Interview with Mike Doughty", "Robert Downey Jr health: Actor's health battle revealed by family member the symptoms", "Entertainment | Comedian Fry reveals suicide bid", "How I served as CEO of Bonobos while secretly losing my mind", "Could America Elect a Mentally Ill President? 23. I was out of my mind. She said she was the opposite of her "Terminator" character Sarah Connor and suffered horribly with severe mood swings. Ye, known as Kanye West before he legally changed his name, is widely considered one of the most influential rappers of all time, boasting 22 Grammys to date. Demi Lovato. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. She revealed the diagnosis in her autobiography, "Call me Anna," in 1987. When famous people with bipolar disorder discuss their success in spite of their illness . After a stressful year of supporting her husband Michael Douglas during his throat cancer treatment, Catherine checked herself into a hospital for a 5-day stay to get treated for her mental health symptoms. According to a review published in August 2019 in Medicina, research shows that as many as 20 percent of people with bipolar disorder die by suicide, and as many as 60 percent attempt suicide at least once. Singer Demi Lovato was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when she entered rehab at age 22. She died in 2016 from sepsis at 69., As first lord of the admiralty at the start of World War I and British prime minister in World War II, Churchill rallied people with stirring speeches and radio broadcasts to encourage resistance against Germany. Brand has openly discussed his history of substance use, self-harm, and mental illness numerous times. He was eventually diagnosed with rapid-cycling bipolar disorder after hitting bottom. Earlier this year, R&B star Chris Brown was diagnosed bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, E! Genetics. That was the point of all of this to give people a place to start the conversation, she says. You feel all these things., Selena Gomez is a popular American singer and actress. We love you.' Elton John. Doctors first thought she suffered from depression, but bipolar disorder is characterized by manic phases in which people feel heightened energy, creativity and productivity. Brand was expelled from several schools, arrested numerous times, and has overcome a severe substance use disorder. Listen Now! 2005-2023 Psych Central a Red Ventures Company. Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain committed suicide in 1994 at age 27. ", MyFiveBest.com: "Five Musicians Who Suffered From Bipolar Disorder. The five-time Grammy Award winner died July 23, 2011, at age 27, from alcohol poisoning. British stand-up comedian and actor Russell Brand, known for his public antics and outrageous comedy, was treated for depression when he was young. She started noting her good qualities: When Im manic, its also when I make my best art. However, several celebrities have spoken out about their experiences of living with bipolar disorder and in doing so have helped foster more compassionate and patient-focused conversations about bipolar disorder and mental illness. In a 2019 interview with David Letterman, the Grammy-winning rapper spoke frankly about what its like to live with bipolar disorder. Today, I'd like to publicly share my journey with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is a difficult mental health condition to live with for anyone, let alone for people who are famous and constantly in the limelight. I would feel so lonely and sad even guilty that I wasnt doing what I needed to be doing for my career.. A.J. I finally decided that education is more important.". I was working and working and working I was irritable and in constant fear of letting people down. Why Its Difficult to Accept a Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis and What Helps, Inside Bipolar Podcast: Owning Our Mistakes (Caused by Symptoms).