Dispelling Myths and Breaking Stigmas Associated with Mental Illness

Dispelling myths and dealing with stigmas

            There are many negative stigmas and false myths about mental illness. Some people feel that being diagnosed with a mental illness can be a death sentence or something to be ashamed of. Mental illness is not a sign of weakness in character. There are many people that cope with mental illness every day. Some people that suffer from mental illness may not even know. Some people don’t even realize that they may be clinically depressed until someone shares the symptoms of depression. A lot of people think that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder only pertains to war veterans. The reality is that any individual that suffers a traumatic experience can begin to experience symptoms. It could be something as simple as a car accident or something as devastating as sexual abuse. But without knowing how to identify symptoms many individuals may suffer from a mental illness without knowing. Not all cases of mental illness are clear cut.  A big misconception associated with mental illness is that you can identify someone dealing with mental health just by looking at them, like there is some sign on their forehead. Many people think that all people diagnosed with mental illnesses act a certain way, like they will be in a corner drooling on themselves, or that they are mentally weak. Some people identify mental illness with an Intellectual Developmental Disability (formally known as retardation), Down Syndrome, or with someone who can’t take care of themselves. There are severe cases, but the purpose of me bringing awareness to mental illness is because there is a large community of people that look like you, who suffer from mental illness. Some of the brightest minds and most talented creators suffer from mental illnesses. A lot of big name stars deal with mental illnesses on a daily basis. Illustrating that mental illness is not something that defines an individual as weak. A lot of people with mental illnesses are strong productive people. I think that we need to educate people more about metal health because you may look at someone as the most popular, the most outgoing, or the funniest person you know, but that same person may be struggling inside. To illustrate my point, later I am going to go over some famous names of stars that you may never have realize that they suffer from mental illnesses. Everyone struggles with their own inner demons and some more than others and without better educating yourself about different mental illnesses you may never know that you were suffering from a mental illness.
           I myself struggle for years with my own mental issues before discovering that I had a mental disorder. For most of my teens and early adulthood I just simply thought that I was different from everybody else, and the way I thought, and looked at things was just different from everybody else. But after being diagnosed with a mental illness it not only brought a better understanding into why I react to certain things in certain ways, it also showed me that I wasn’t alone in dealing with this, other people thought and reacted to things similarly to the ways I do. It showed me that there was a whole community of individuals out there that dealt with the same issues I do. Not only do people deal with it, there are many different treatments to help individuals cope with their symptoms and issues.

            Many people think that being diagnosed with a mental illness is a negative thing, like the world will view them as weak or crazy. The diagnosis of a mental illness doesn’t define you. You are an individual that suffers from a mental illness not a mentally ill person. Meaning that the illness is a part of you but it is not who you are. For example, I am very artistic, but my artistic side doesn’t equal the whole of me. I am an artistic person, a father, a brother, a son, and I think a good businessman, who suffers from a mental illness and all those parts contribute to me as a whole. Some parts are more prominent than others but all of them are a part of Tariq. Having a mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of. I believe that educating the youth about mental health is needed because not every case of mental illness is severe or debilitating. Only a small percentage of mental health cases are violent. Not every mentally ill person is going to shoot up a school or theater. Like I said there are a lot more that are like you. You may be suffering from a mental illness and you may not even know it.
             I knew a guy that had lived in the inner – city most of his life and he ended up getting into trouble after high school and served some time. One day he shared with me that he suffered from nightmare and night terrors and he would wake up sweating and in a panic from his experience. If this individual had gotten a professional perspective on the matter, I believe through my own studies that he would have been diagnosed with PTSD. Now this guy was as tough as they come and really a product of the inner – city, and I believe that he was suffering from a mental illness. To me that is a pure example that mental illness can effect anyone no matter how tough you are, what color you are, what age, shape, or financial background. A lot of times in the inner – city you will hear that those are suburban or rich people problems but the reality is that anybody can suffer through these conditions and it may be worst in the inner – cities because of these types of attitudes.

The following is a list of

famous individuals that have dealt with mental illness

Demi Lovato

The Disney star checked into rehab in 2010 for "emotional and physical issues" including bulimia, cutting, and bipolar disorder. "I had no idea that I was even bipolar until I went into treatment," she revealed in 2011. "I was conquering the world, but then I would come crashing down, and I would be more depressed than ever."

Demi Lovato suffered from several different disorders including bulimia, anorexia, and bipolar disorder. Her song “Skyscraper” was written to explain her past and help her move on from it. After checking into rehab, Demi is said to be better.

Rene Russo

The Outbreak star revealed on The Queen Latifah Show in October 2014 that she has bipolar disorder and takes medication for the condition. "For all the people that are having trouble and maybe feel bad about taking medication… it's okay — you will make it through," she said. "It's not easy but you will make it through."

Mel Gibson

The veteran actor/director opened up about his struggle with depression after starring in the 2011 movie The Beaver, about a depressed toy company CEO. Though he told Deadline his depression had never been "really severe," he admitted to having some "low" moments. "Of course [I've battled it]," he said. "I think the majority of people do."

Catherine Zeta-Jones

The Oscar winner first revealed her bipolar II diagnosis in 2011, when she checked into a mental health facility for treatment. (She was also treated in April 2013.) Speaking about her struggles in 2012, she said she "never wanted to be the poster child" for the disorder and was just trying to handle the situation gracefully.

Carrie Fisher

The Star Wars star and best-selling author has talked and written at length about her ongoing struggle with bipolar disorder, most notably in the memoirs Wishful Drinking and Shockaholic. "I thought if I could ever get this to be funny, it would be brilliant," she has said of her mental health struggle. "But it took a really long time. My life dealing with the bipolar situation was far from funny."

Emma Thompson

The Oscar-winning Brit has admitted to suffering bouts of clinical depression at various times throughout her life. In 2010, she announced that she was taking a sabbatical to focus on her own well-being. "I find the job I do emotionally very demanding," she said in a statement. "I suffer from occasional mild depression, which I think is a very common thing."

Paula Deen

After losing her dad when she was 19, Deen, the bubbly Southern chef, started having panic attacks and anxiety issues that later led to a 20-year bout with depression and agoraphobia. "Some days I could get to the supermarket, but I could never go too far inside. I learned to cook with the ingredients they kept close to the door," she told the New York Times in 2007.

Brooke Shields

After the 2003 birth of her daughter Rowan, the actress suffered a serious bout of postpartum depression for which she was later medicated. In her darkest moments, she considered suicide. "[I believed] I should not exist. The baby would be better off without me. Life was never going to get better — so I better just go," she said while accepting an advocacy award from the Hope for Depression Research Foundation. "Finally I did fight. I survived."

Jim Carrey

The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind actor has said he took Prozac "for a long time" while battling depression. "It may have helped me out of a jam for a little bit, but people stay on it forever. I had to get off at a certain point because I realized that, you know, everything's just okay," he told CBS News in 2009. "There are peaks, there are valleys. But they're all kind of carved and smoothed out, and it feels like a low level of despair you live in."

Funny man Carrey admitted to dealing with and beating depression in an interview with 60 Minutes back in 2004. His method to combat the disease was spirituality – once he got off Prozac (which certainly helped him out for a while), he simply realized that ‘things are OK’ and life is indeed beautiful. He now rarely drinks coffee, and is adamantly off all drugs and alcohol.

Zach Braff

The Scrubs star told Parade magazine in 2007 that he felt a kinship to his somewhat melancholy character in Garden State (which he wrote and directed). "I think I suffer from some mild depression," he explained. "So to have millions of people go, 'I watched your movie and related,' was the ultimate affirmation that I'm not a freak."

Sheryl Crow

The "If It Makes You Happy" rocker is in a good place now, but several years ago, she suffered a debilitating bout of depression that lasted six months. "During some of those darkest days, I'd hardly get out of bed and just the phone ring and ring," she explained in 2003. "Small problems became insurmountable, and so I shied away from normal behavior. It seemed easier to duck out of life that way...It was a very bizarre, exhausting, and dark time."

Pete Wentz

In an interview with Playboy in 2008, the Fall Out Boy musician said his battle with depression had brought him close to death — on more than one occasion. "The list of drugs I've been prescribed would read like a grocery list," he explained of his mental health struggles. Once, he noted, he "took a handful of Ativan," though he insists he wasn't thinking of killing himself. "I've never really called it a suicide attempt," he said. "I just wanted my head to be completely turned off."

Jean-Claude Van Damme

The action star opened up about his bipolar disorder on the 2011 British reality show Behind Closed Doors, explaining his diagnosis 13 years earlier. "Sometimes you're gonna like me, and sometimes you're gonna hate me. But what can I do? I'm not perfect," he said. "I'm an extreme bipolar, and I'm taking medication for this...When I was young, I was suffering those swing moods. In the morning, the sky was blue [when I was] going to school, and to me, the sky was black. I was so sad."

Bryce Dallas Howard

Ron Howard's actress daughter has been open about her struggle with postpartum depression following the February 2007 birth of her son, Theodore. "It went untreated for 18 months, because I was just so ashamed and frightened," she told Us Weekly in 2013 of that time in her life. "I didn't know what it meant and didn't know what happened to me...You can't raise kids alone, you can't heal alone — you really need a community."

Jon Hamm

The Mad Men star had a lot of dark days after losing his father at age 20. "I was...unmoored by that," he told The Observer in 2010 of his dad's death. "I struggled with chronic depression. I was in bad shape." Therapy and antidepressants helped to pull him out and give him "another perspective." "You can change your brain chemistry enough to think, 'I want to get up in the morning, I don't want to sleep until four in the afternoon,'" he explained. "Reset the auto-meter, kick-start the engine!"

Ashley Judd

Judd wrote about her struggle with depression in the autobiography All That Is Bitter & Sweet, which also details her abusive childhood. She sought help for her troubles in 2006 by checking into the Shades of Hope Treatment Center in Texas. "I was sick and tired of being sick and tired, and I just didn't know what was wrong with me," she said on the TODAY show. " I looked really good on the outside, and I had a lot of anxiety, insomnia...I needed to find a power greater than myself..."

Halle Berry

The actress told Parade magazine in 2007 that she had tried to commit suicide after her 1997 split from baseball player David Justice. "I was sitting in my car, and I knew the gas was coming when I had an image of my mother finding me," she said. That image saved her life. "She sacrificed so much for her children, and to end my life would be an incredibly selfish thing to do...My sense of worth was so low. I promised myself I would never be a coward again."

Woody Allen

Filmmaker and comedic actor Woody Allen has been fighting depression for 30 years. His therapeutic humour is a common theme throughout many of his films, and he’s been undergoing psychoanalysis for the past three decades to help manage his depression. He switched to clinical therapy, but then decided to cut all treatment after his marriage to his sixth wife.

Drew Carey

Drew Carey is probably best known from both his sitcom The Drew Carey Show, and his hosting duties on Whose Line Is It Anyway? but he isn’t always the cheery bloke we see on screen. In 1997, he released an autobiography where he let the world know about his personal trials and tribulations – including his father’s death when he was eight years old, that he was once molested, and his bouts of depression and two failed suicide attempts via a sleeping pill overdose.

Louie C.K.

One of the better-known members of this list, comedian Louie C.K. has suffered from a lighter form of depression – his in-depth awareness of the realities of being human, of society as we know it today. He’s said many times “No, I’ve never been suicidal, but I’ve wanted to be.” Throughout the 1990s, he had a four-year stretch of bad luck where he went broke, had a serious motorcycle accident and he got screwed when making  Pootie Tang with Chris Rock. He says “It never stopped getting worse. I remember thinking, This is too much for me to handle. I wanted to give up. I knew it was my right to. But then a few minutes would go by and I’d realize, I’m still here. In other words, there was no escape from it. And I’d be a little disappointed at not being truly suicidal. I hated being ‘all right.’ ”

Rodney Dangerfield

Our younger readers may not be so familiar with Mr. Dangerfield but the man born Jacob Cohen was a comedian and actor in the 1980s, best known for his roles in Caddyshack and Back To School. He was the guy who came up with the famous ‘I get no respect’ catchphrase. Anyway, in 1997 he admitted to a lifelong fight with depression, and ended up seeking psychiatric help.

Larry David

The Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm creator first encountered depression in the 1970s when he was in the National Guard, claiming, “If I hadn’t been so strapped for cash, I would’ve sought the aid of a psychiatrist.” In 1972, he was living with his parents, unemployed with no girlfriend and broke. It was during this time of depression that he found his true calling – turning a situation inside out then laughing at it, something that was key to his future creations.

Ellen DeGeneres

Today Ellen is one of the lucky few known the world over by one single name, yet she’s had some extremely difficult times in her travels. Anyone remember her sitcom in the 1990s? Well in 1997 both Ellen and her character came out, which unfortunately lead to a public ‘fall from grace’, which wasn’t helped by her KimYe style relationship with actress Anne Heche. The episode left her without work for three years and completely depressed. Clearly she was able to get herself out of it, as she now has an exceptionally popular show that has garnered her 15 Emmys

Bill Hicks

Hicks passed away in 1994 from cancer, but he had suffered from depression in his 20s. Fellow comic and close friend John Farneti felt it may have stemmed from his drug and alcohol abuse, but also from a deep insecurity that if he appreciated anything, it was taken away from it. Hicks once said, “I get depressed, you think I don’t? You think I’m wearing black in the summertime cuz I’m a fucking ray of sunshine, dude?”

David Letterman

The Late Show host has had a remarkable career in television, though he has serious regrets about not having a family earlier due to his intense focus on his work – he has a young son but he wishes he had a daughter as well. This was partially a cause of his depression, which mainly stemmed from his quintuple bypass surgery in 2000. Three years after the operation, Letterman was taking medication for a bout of shingles and said of his depression “It’s different than feeling sad, it’s different than feeling blue. It’s the world with 20/20 vision.”

Conan O’Brien

Back in early 2010, O’Brien lost his dream job as the host of  The Tonight Show  to Jay Leno, a soul-crushing hurdle that kick-started his depression. He went out on tour over the summer of that year, but when he came home, the darkness really settled in. He was driving his wife crazy around the house, but as we already know, the story has a happier ending with Conan getting a new show and sorting himself out.

Sarah Silverman

Ms. Silverman is one of the most successful comedians around today, and just like most of her contemporaries, she plunged into depression during her high school years. On top of her own woes, her therapist hung herself, devastating the young, fragile girl. She says “It happened as fast as a cloud covering the sun. It was at once devastatingly real and terrifyingly intangible. I felt helpless, but not in the familiar bedwetting sense. As quickly and casually as someone catches the flu, I caught depression, and it would last for the next three years.”

David Walliams

Little Britain star David Walliams recently revealed in his autobiography that he has attempted suicide three times over his life due to depression – once at 12 years old when he was bullied at a Sea Scouts camp; another hanging attempt in 2003 after a break up; and he slit his wrists on New Years Day again in 2003, the same year that Little Britain hit TV screens. He says that depression has “blighted my adult life”, but his wife Lara Stone has helped him get through it all, though his irrational fear of being alone still haunts him.

Robin Williams

Robin Williams is actually bipolar, and although he hasn’t publicly spoken about being depressed, analysts suggest that manic depression was the driving force behind many of his movie performances. One writer suggests he suffered from depression after a break-up (a common theme here), another believes it was when he was dropped from Julliard, while another feels it came when the Bush Administration didn’t legalize abortion.

Owen Wilson

Folks may remember Owen Wilson’s much talked about suicide attempt back in 2007, when he slit his wrists at his home in Santa Monica. Some of his demons include a drug addiction, though Wilson’s episode came as a surprise to those close to him. One friend called it “the most out-of-character thing”, while another said “Owen is fun, kind and caring. [But] it’s like he has a little John Belushi in him. He has demons; on some level, he’s managed them for years.”

Chris Brown

Earlier this year,  R&B star Chris Brown was diagnosed bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, E! News reported.

On February 28, 2014, E! News obtained the singer’s probation officer’s report that included a letter from a residential treatment facility attributing Brown’s aggression and legal troubles to mental health issues. The statement below reads:

Lark Voorhies

In 2012, former Saved By The Bell star Lark Voorhies’ mother announced that her daughter is “mentally ill.”

During an interview with People magazine, Voorhies’ mother, Tricia, said that her daughter was battling bipolar disorder, which causes severe mood swings between mania and depression. “There are things that have traumatized her, Tricia said. “I care deeply about my daughter and I want her to resume her life.”

Metta World Peace

Basketball star Metta World Peace has also been diagnosed with a mental illness and has decided to help others who suffer from similar conditions.

The Los Angeles Times reports:  “World Peace sat recently in a room at Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at UCLA before 13 adults who suffer various mental health disorders. A half-hour later, he gathered with 23 kids with similar issues. World Peace provided them with a simple message: I’m facing the same problems you have. ‘I’m still learning about myself,’ he said. ‘This actually helps me in telling my story so I can continuously improve myself, stay mentally stronger and not let stuff bother me as much as it used to when I was younger. I still make mistakes.'”

Nina Simone

Legendary jazz singer and civil rights activist Nina Simone was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in the late 1980s.

Nadine Cohodas, author of Princess Noire: The Tumultuous Reign of Nina Simone (2012), touches on Simone’s behavior and bipolar symptoms. The 2004 book, Nina Simone: Break Down and Let It All Out, written by Sylvia Hampton and David Nathan, was the first to reveal Simone’s battle with mental illness. The authors describe Simone’s behavior under the condition:

“Nina Simone had a reputation in the music industry for being volatile and sometimes difficult to deal with, a characterization with which she strenuously took issue. In 1995, she shot and wounded her neighbor’s son with a pneumatic pistol after his laughter disturbed her concentration. She also fired a gun at a record company executive whom she accused of stealing royalties. It is now recognized that this  ‘difficulty’ was the result of bipolar disorder. Simone reluctantly took medication for her condition from the mid-1960s on. All this was only known to a small group of intimates, and kept out of public view for many years.”

Macy Gray

In a 2007 interview, singer Macy Gray was asked if she was ever diagnosed with bipolar disorder, she told the U.K.’s Daily Mail, “I used to be on medication, but I am not anymore, so if I was bipolar, I guess I am cured.”

In 2010, Gray spoke about how it feels to have the mental illness.  In an interview she was asked to complete the sentence, “Being famous feels like …” Gray replied: “It feels bipolar. It just has very extreme ups and downs. It’s one thing and then another, and they’re always opposite.”

Delonte West

In 2012, former NBA player Delonte West did not accompany his Dallas Mavericks teammates when they visited the White House for a celebration of their victory against the Miami Heat.

West claimed he couldn’t go because he had a prior gun charge that caused him to be banned by the White House security team.

However, sources say West skipped the event because of his battle with bipolar disorder, which at the time left him experiencing wild mood swings and grandiose thoughts.

Jenifer Lewis

In a May 2005 interview, “Think Like A Man” actress Jenifer Lewis discussed her plight with bipolar disorder. Ever since, she has been willing to talk about the mental illness.

Since she was diagnosed in 1990, Lewis said she tried various therapies and medications. But she said she found that the key to coping with the disorder is to love yourself.

DMX

In 2012, DMX opened up to television talk show host “Dr. Phil” in an interview about the rapper’s struggle with mental illness.

During the interview, DMX revealed that he suffers from bipolar disorder. “I used to be really clear on who was what and what characteristics each personality had. But I don’t know at this point. I’m not even sure there is a difference,” he continued. “I’m Earl when I’m with my children. I miss my children, I miss my children, I miss my children.”

Jesse Jackson Jr.

In 2012, Illinois congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. took an abrupt leave of absence from his office.

Later that year in August, a spokesperson for Jackson released a statement that the congressman was undergoing treatment for bipolar II with severe bouts of depression.

According to sources, Jackson was in a debilitating state, but made promising strides after receiving treatment from Mayo Clinic.

Russell Brand

The comedian has bipolar disorder

Ray Lucas

The former NFL player suffers with depression and a former addiction to painkillers.

Ricky Williams

The former NFL star has a social anxiety disorder

Michael Phelps

Olympic swimmer has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Herschel Walker

Former NFL player has dissociative identity disorder.

Amanda Bynes

The actress was diagnosed with schizophrenia in August 2013

Amy Winehouse

The late singer suffered with bipolar disorder before her death

Brandon Marshall

NFL star Brandon Marshall has Borderline Personality Disorder.

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson

The Rock just recently revealed that he fell into a deep depression after he failed to make it in the NFL – which led to a series of personal setbacks.

Heath Ledger

Heath Ledger is another one of those actors that we lost too soon. He accidentally overdosed on several different drugs after supposedly suffering from insomnia. After he died, many reported that Heath suffered from depression after breaking up with actress Michelle Williams

Kanye West

After his mom unexpectedly died during surgery and his wedding was canceled, Kanye went into a deep depression. Despite these tough times, Kanye kept his eyes on the prize and returned to fame very quickly. Nowadays he seems like he’s on top of the world with his new girlfriend, Kim K.

Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson apparently went through a bout with anxiety as well as depression in 1997. When she released her album “The Velvet Rope,” many of the songs clearly portrayed her internal struggles. Despite the surprising death of her brother and weight issues, Janet seems to be doing just fine.

Alicia Keys

Despite being a Grammy winner and earning plenty of success, Alicia Keys went through two years of depression. Her third album, “As I Am” was written during her time of hardship. Alicia has admitted that her depression allowed her to write even better and more meaningful songs.

Winona Ryder

Better known as Johnny Depp’s ex, Winona Ryder dealt with anxiety attacks, depression, and alcohol abuse after the relationship ended. She soon found herself in a mental institution and working with a private therapist to work out her internal issues. She claimed that working on the movie Girl, Interrupted was extremely personal for her.

Serena Williams

Serena Williams is best and happiest when she’s on the tennis court, but when she was injured and couldn’t play, she became extremely depressed. Being sidelined and unable to do something you love to do can definitely cause one to become down and out, but Serena’s health scare due to a pulmonary embolism was much more important to deal with. Now that she’s back on the court, she’s happy as can be.

T.I.

When T.I.’s friend Philant Johnson was killed in 2006, he became extremely depressed and even paranoid. After an interview on Larry King, T.I. admitted that his emotions are what led him to prison due to poor judgement and a lack of consideration. T.I. now insists that he’s no longer a gangster.

Gwyneth Paltrow

Many would say that giving birth and becoming a mom is a time of joy and pure happiness, but that wasn’t so for Gwyneth Paltrow, who suffered from post-partum depression. She explained that she couldn’t understand or control her emotions and didn’t think she suffered from the disorder until her husband mentioned it. Nowadays Gwyneth is a happy mom.

Audra McDonald

Six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald told ABC News that she has battled depression and even attempted suicide when she was in college at the prestigious performing arts school Juilliard. She tried to slit her wrists and credits the school for helping her get the psychological help that she needed. 

Don Cornelius

In 2012, Legendary Soul Train creator Don Cornelius died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. It was believed that he was suffering from deep depression that may have been sparked from his divorce from his wife. 

Fantasia Barrino 

In 2009, American Idol winner Fantasia tried to kill herself after her tultumtous relationship with her married boyfriend Antwaune Cook. She was hospitalized after attempting to overdose on aspirin and sleeping pills. 

Paris Jackson

In 2013, Paris Jackson, daughter of legend Michael Jackson, was hospitalized after slicing her wrists and trying to overdose on Motrin. While it's not known what the source of her issues were, it's speculated that her family and them fighting over custody of her and her siblings may have sparked it.

Michelle Williams

In 2013, former Destiny’s Child singer Michelle Williams opened up about suffering from depression as a teen. Williams didn’t take meds for help, but credits therapy, exercise and positive thinking to overcoming this mental health illness. Williams told Rolling Out Magazine that she hopes that sharing her story will help others to seek the help that they need.

Mariah Carey

While Mariah Carey calls the media attention to her emotional meltdown in 2001 “overblown,” the Grammy-winning singer was hospitalized and then moved to another facility. Carey states that her incident was a mixture of emotional and physical issues, including exhaustion and being overworked. 

Lee Thompson Young

The suicide of TNT's Rizzoli & Isles Lee Thompson Young last summer was another reminder that the mental health of Black men can no longer be ignored. Young suffered from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says suicide is the third cause of death among African-American males between ages 15 and 24, behind homicide and accidents.  

Peter Green

British guitarist Peter Green became famous for his signature sound and as a founding member of Fleetwood Mac, making nearly every list of the world’s best guitarists. In the 1970s, he was diagnosed as a schizophrenic and underwent therapy. Following some violent episodes and time in psychiatric hospitals, he was a recluse for years while dealing with his illness. He still plays guitar for live performances today

Lionel Aldridge

Legendary football coach Vince Lombardi rarely started rookies, but he took a chance with Lionel Aldridge in 1963. It paid off as Aldridge helped the Green Bay Packers win two Super Bowls. After ten years in the NFL, Aldridge retired before he developed schizophrenia in the late 1970s. For years, Aldridge was homeless in Milwaukee before reaching a balance with his condition. He later became an advocate for the homeless and mentally ill. He died in 1998.

Jim Gordon

Jim Gordon was THE drummer during rock ‘n’ roll’s golden years: the 1960s and 1970s. Nearly everyone from Muppet master Jim Henson to guitar god Eric Clapton wanted him performing percussion for their music. Gordon's musical influence stretched from the hard rock of Alice Cooper to the surfing sounds of the Beach Boys. In the late ‘70s, Gordon began hearing voices from paranoid schizophrenia, but doctors failed to give him a proper diagnosis. In 1983, Gordon killed his mother. He currently remains imprisoned. 

Brian Wilson

As former leader of the Beach Boys, Grammy Award-winning singer Brian Wilson became one of Rolling Stone’s 100 greatest singers of all time. However, Wilson had numerous mental problems, including schizoaffective disorder that caused him to suffer from delusions similar to schizophrenia. There are many theories regarding the cause of his problems, including drug abuse and a stroke. Luckily, Wilson gained control over his problems and he continues to perform to this day.

Many people in history displayed behavior that could be confused as schizophrenia. Here are two people who are often included in lists of famous schizophrenics but were never officially diagnosed:

• Mary Todd Lincoln: The former First Lady suffered from outbursts and sporadic erratic behavior. It worsened after her husband, Abraham Lincoln, was assassinated.
• Syd Barrett: As a founding member of Pink Floyd, the late Barrett left the band in 1968 among rumors of mental illness and drug use.

He regaled us with such hits as “Where is the Love?,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” the holiday staple “This Christmas,” and of course the deeply reflective, ultra-soulful “Song For You.”  But underneath the powerfully emotional voice of Donny Hathaway was a man who was fighting a tremendous battle that ultimately caused him to end his own life.

Twisted Melodies seeks to peel back the layers of a musical genius who was tortured by the mental anguish of paranoid schizophrenia.  In Donny Hathaway’s case, he suffered from delusions of persecution believing that  “white people were trying to steal his sound.” His stability was further diminished by the fact the he inconsistently took the medication that would have helped manage his symptoms.

Jack Kerouac

The famous author of the American classic “On the Road” spent a brief time in the U.S. military. A Navy doctor determined he had “dementia praecox,” today known as schizophrenia. His enlistment lasted just 10 months and Kerouac left the military to begin his career as one of the greatest writers of the Beat Generation. Upon his discharge, the diagnosis was changed. It was then noted that he might display some “schizoid tendencies.”

Zelda Fitzgerald

Zelda Fitzgerald, wife of the famous author of “The Great Gatsby,” was known to go into fits of paranoia, especially regarding her husband’s alleged unfaithfulness. In 1930, she was diagnosed with schizophrenia

Buddy Bolden

Buddy Bolden was a highly regarded jazz musician in the early 1900s. He was said by many to be one of the creators of ragtime music. In 1907, Bolden was diagnosed with dementia praecox, known today as schizophrenia

Vincent van Gogh

Vincent Van Gogh (1853–1890) lived in a time when schizophrenia had not yet been identified as a disorder, but many medical professionals today believe the famous artist and painter suffered from it. His unstable moods and eccentric personality led 150 doctors to venture diagnoses. He had recurring psychotic episodes in the last two years of his phenomenal life, and at age 37, committed suicide.

Darrell Hammond

Hammond was a Saturday Night Live cast member from 1995 to 2009, making him one of the longest-standing actors in the show. Hammond revealed on a 2011 CNN interview that his mother had abused him as a child. Some people speculate this could have triggered his schizophrenia later in life. He is most famous for his hilarious impersonations of President Bill Clinton.

Wesley Willis

Wesley Willis was a singer-songwriter and visual artist who appeared on MTV and on The Howard Stern Show. Willis was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1989, but it was after his diagnosis that his career took off. The artist gained a cult following that loved his strange and funny lyrics, inspired or fueled, perhaps, by his disorder. Famous for greeting fans with a head butt, he was diagnosed with chronic leukemia. He died in 2003 at age 40.

Veronica Lake

Veronica Lake was a famous film noir actress in the 1940s and is well known for her role in the film “Sullivan’s Travels.” Lake was diagnosed with schizophrenia as a child and was known for some dramatic and even violent outbursts in adulthood

Famous People With Schizophrenia: List of Schizophrenic Celebrities

There are many famous people throughout history that have been verified as having schizophrenia. We either found out from their personal public statements or reported diagnoses that were shared with the public following their death. The fact that famous people and celebrities have had to deal with a severe debilitating mental illness such as schizophrenia shows that it can affect anyone – regardless of social standing or financial earnings.

Obviously there are certain sub-types of schizophrenia that are more debilitating than others, but in general the degree to which a person is able to cope depends on individual circumstances. Below is a list of famous people that have been documented as having schizophrenia. If you have schizophrenia, this list can help you understand that you’re not alone and that plenty of other individuals before you have lived with it – some of which happened to be famous.

This shows that regardless of your mental illness, you can be a successful, productive member of society. Compared to other mental disorders, there are considerably fewer people with schizophrenia simply because it is a rare condition – only affecting roughly 1% of the population. Most people that are diagnosed tend to be between ages 18 and 30 – which is typically too young to become famous.  It is still unknown what causes schizophrenia, but researchers suggest a number of genetic, environmental, and social factors play a role in increasing risk.

Bottom line: Schizophrenia can affect anyone, regardless of celebrity status

This list should demonstrate that schizophrenia can affect anyone – regardless of age, social status, and talent. Some of the most talented individuals can eventually go on to develop this debilitating mental illness. There are a variety of factors and hypotheses regarding what causes schizophrenia. Hopefully over time we can work towards finding more effective treatment options for people with this condition and eliminate the taxing social stigma associated with it. Although it only affects roughly 1% of the U.S. population, it is important to raise awareness.

You may think that the terms, schizophrenia and famous people, do not belong together, but think again. A number of famous people with schizophrenia have gone public with their illness in an effort to reduce the stigma attached to mental illness. Their courageous choice to speak openly about the challenges they face with schizophrenia helps others feel less alone in their struggles, reducing stigma and shame.

Celebrities With Schizophrenia – Coming Out to Help Others

You won’t hear too much about celebrities and schizophrenia in the mainstream news simply because the disorder generally presents during a person’s 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.

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 Hugo’s brother Eugène also had schizophrenia. Much of what we know regarding her life can be derived from her personal diaries and letters.

Alan Alda’s 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 (soccer) 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.

Antoin Artaud – Well known French playwright, poet, actor, and director of theatre was documented as having schizophrenia. The remaining years of his life was spent in different asylums and psychiatric hospitals. Doctors tried to use electroshock therapy for his condition, but it didn’t work as expected. He is also described as having a psychotic break later in his life and schizotypal personality features.

Ash Lieb – The famous artist, comedian, and writer suffered from schizophrenia. At one point he went through a tough life in the streets and was actually homeless. Eventually he was able to round up enough money to treat his condition with proper medication. He described his art as a primary outlet for his mental illness.

Bettie Page – This pinup model was documented as having a nervous breakdown as well as short-lasting schizophrenia. In other words, she was formally diagnosed by doctors as having this condition, but was able to bounce back to normal functioning. She spent 20 months in a mental hospital in California and eventually was released.

Bob Mosley – The rocker Bob Mosley is known as the bass player and one of the premier songwriters for the band Moby Grape. He had also developed a solo music career and had a wide following. His band member (already mentioned) “Skip Spence” also suffered from schizophrenia. Unlike Skip Spence, Mosley was able to tough out his form of schizophrenia and continued to create music with his condition.

Buddy Bolden – Charles Joseph “Buddy” Bolden was a famous cornet player and served as a key individual in the development of “rag time” and jazz music of New Orleans. He was known as “King Bolden” because he was a pioneer of jazz music and his band was among the elites in New Orleans. In 1907 he became incapacitated by his schizophrenia and was unable to perform. He was admitted to the Louisiana State Insane Asylum where he spent the remainder of his life.

Brian Wilson – A former member of the wildly famous group The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson was regarded as one of the greatest singers of all time. Throughout his life he had various mental illnesses – some suggested that he had schizophrenia. He had minor delusions and most suggest that he may have had schizoaffective disorder. Eventually he regained control over his mental illness and continues to perform music.

Camille Claudel – A famous French sculptor and artist of the 19th century, Camille Claudel was said to have exhibited signs of paranoid schizophrenia. Eventually she was diagnosed as having schizophrenia and she went on to destroy many of her statues. She accused others of leading a conspiracy to kill her – this was one of her delusions. She was older sister of poet and diplomatic leader Paul Claudel.

Clara Bow – Hollywood actress of the 1920s Clara Gordon Bow was a superstar. She starred in the film “It” and was nicknamed “The It Girl.” She was a leading sex symbol of her time and an iconic figure of 1920s Hollywood. She appeared in over 40 films. Near the end of her career she was considered “delusional” and diagnosed with schizophrenia because she experienced “pains” that had no medical foundation. There is some debate as to whether her diagnosis was by an incompetent doctor due to the fact that she experienced no hallucinations. Bow rejected the notion that she was schizophrenic and appeared to function normally – just behaved oddly.

Daniel Johnston – The singer, songwriter, musician, and artist was diagnosed with schizophrenia and manic depression. He was the subject of “The Devil and Daniel Johnston” – a documentary.

Darrell Hammond – He was a comedian, actor, and stand-up comedian. He is widely regarded as a regular comedian on SNL (Saturday Night Live) and served on the show for 14 years – longest of any cast member. He has made more SNL appearances than any other member and has done impersonations of over 100 celebrities – Bill Clinton was his most well known. In a 2011 interview with CNN, he confessed that he was victim to extensive childhood abuse and traumatized. He was involved in cutting, was hospitalized, and had been diagnosed with both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. He says that he was medicated during his entire career on Saturday Night Live and used to cut himself backstage.

Eduard Einstein – Albert Einstein’s son suffered from schizophrenia. He was diagnosed at the age of 25. After onset of his illness, he told his father that he hated him. Albert never saw Eduard for the rest of his life. Prior to his illness he was said to have been a great student and very musically talented. He struggled with his mental illness for the remainder of his life and ended up dying of a stroke at age 55.

Elyn Saks – Elyn Saks is a high functioning individual with schizophrenia. She is a Professor of Law, Psychology, Psychiatry, and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Southern California Gould Law School. She is involved in much research and has written a best-selling autobiography. Not only does she battle schizophrenia, she also is a cancer survivor. She had her first full blown episode of schizophrenia when she attended college. Her mission is to show people that they can still lead a successful life despite this diagnosis.

Gene Tierney – American stage and film actress Gene Tierney is said to have suffered from schizophrenia. She was known for her role in the movie “Laura” (1944) and had been nominated for an academy award for her role in the movie “Leave Her to Heaven” in 1945.

Jack Kerouac – Novelist, poet, and writer, Jack Kerouac suffered from schizophrenia. He is considered one of the most prominent figures of the Beat Generation. His military records showed that he was diagnosed with “dementia praecox” – an old term that used to mean the same thing as modern day “schizophrenia.” He was deemed “unsuitable” for the navy and was enlisted for an extremely short duration.

Jeremy Oxley – Australian singer, song-writer, and guitarist well known for his work with the band The Sunnyboys suffers from schizophrenia. The band broke up in 1984 due to conflict within, but it was later revealed that Oxley was struggling with schizophrenia. He eventually went on to form The Chinless Elite and they released many cover records.

Jim Gordon (James Beck Gordon) – Many consider him one of the greatest drummers of all time during the golden years of rock N’ roll (1960s – 1970s). He was an American recording artist, musician, and songwriter. He is a Grammy Award winner and was the drummer in the groups Derek and the Dominos, Little Richard, and Delaney & Bonnie. In 1983, he was classified as living with undiagnosed schizophrenia following the murder of his mother. He served 16 years to life in prison.

Joe Meek – The 1960’s British record producer and songwriter lived with undiagnosed schizophrenia. Most people remember his work with the Tornados “Telstar” from 1962 which became the first record by a British group to reach number one on U.S. charts. His commercial success was essentially a flash-in-the-pan. He eventually fell into deep financial debt and depression. He exhibited undiagnosed symptoms of schizophrenia and went on to kill his landlady and commit suicide.

John Nash (Dr. John Forbes Nash) – He was a Nobel Laureate in Economics, and a Nobel Prize winning mathematician known for his genius as well as diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. His life is well documented in the book and movie “A Beautiful Mind.” His mathematical theories involved determining “chance” and many are still used today to analyze monetary trends. He suffered delusions of persecution later in his career – he thought government agents were after him.

John Ogdon – The English pianist and composer was known for his musical talents. He made his debut in London at age 21 with an hour-long performance of Ferruccio Busoni on the piano. He was regarded among the top musical talents in the world during his time. His career was interrupted by schizophrenia – a condition which ran in his family. His mental illness was written about in the book “Virtuoso” by his wife Brenda.

Katherine Routledge – The British archaeologist was known for suffering from mental illness since childhood. She later developed paranoid schizophrenia and many are astonished that she was able to gather so much valuable anthropological research. It should be noted that her brother Harold also suffered from some form of mental illness. Routledge became obsessed with Spiritualism and she experienced major delusions and she was eventually confined to a mental institutions. She was known for her Easter Island expeditions as well as her papers and photographs. Various documents released from her family were released that included details of her illness after her death.

Lionel Aldridge – The Super Bowl winning NFL player Lionel Aldridge also had to deal with schizophrenia. His coach Vince Lombardi started him as a rookie in 1963 and he helped the Green Bay Packers win 2 Super Bowls. He eventually went on to retire from football and in the late 1970s, he developed schizophrenia. He was found homeless in Milwaukee, Wisconsin before recognizing that something needed to be done about his condition. Once he found help for his struggles with the disorder, he dedicated his life to delivering inspirational speeches about his battle with paranoid schizophrenia and his ultimate victory over its ravages. He died in 1998.

Louis Wain – This artist is well-known worldwide for his incredible paintings and drawings of cats. He slowly regressed with major symptoms of schizophrenia, but some credit it to his unique paintings of “schizophrenic cats.” He was an extremely successful artist whose works still remain published in many pieces of literature.

Meera Popkin – This highly talented Broadway start was diagnosed with schizophrenia. She was just hitting the prime of her career when symptoms emerged and she was unable to cope. She ended up getting locked up in a padded room for a period of time, and has learned to cope with the condition. She is now a huge advocate for mental health awareness and lives a productive life.

Parveen Babi – The Indian actress who became a superstar was eventually handcuffed and ankle-cuffed by policemen and removed from an airport for hysteria as a result of her schizophrenia condition. It is believed that she suffered from paranoid schizophrenia. She was most remembered for her roles along heroes of the 1970s and 1980s in movies like “Deewar,” “Namak Halaal” and “Shaan.” Many people regard her as one of the most beautiful actresses of all time in Indian cinema.  There was even a movie created called “Woh Lamhe” which documents her struggles with the condition.  For more related-films, check out the article “Movies About Schizophrenia.”

Peter Green – The guitarist for the highly popular band Fleetwood Mac had become famous for his distinct sound. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. In the 1970s he was diagnosed with schizophrenia and underwent therapeutic treatments. He spent some time in psychiatric wards and became a recluse for years while trying to cope with his condition. He still plays live guitar at performances today.

Philip K. Dick – The popular American author used themes in his works that reflected his personal interests. He is believed to have suffered from schizophrenia, paranoia, and had abused drugs in his past. Most of his work was science-fiction based and included themes of monopolistic corporations, government dominance, and altered states of consciousness.

Roky Erickson (Roger Kynard) – He was the founder of the Austin-based rock group The 13th Floor Elevators. Roky was a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and harmonica player from Texas. He is regarded as a pioneer of psychedelic rock. In 1968, he was performing and began to speak gibberish. Professionals eventually diagnosed him with paranoid schizophrenia and he was sent to a mental health ward to receive electro-shock therapy. Some hypothesize that drug use of LSD, mescaline, DMT, and marijuana may have lead to development of his condition.  Read more about how smoking marijuana could cause schizophrenia.

Rose Williams – The sister of renowned author Tennessee Williams was said to suffer from schizophrenia. This caused Tennessee to experience feelings of shame and guilt that his sister had a major mental illness. This case shows that even individuals that are related to someone successful can develop this condition.

Rufus May – This was a British clinical psychologist who was known for using his personal experiences as a psychiatric patient to help educate others. He had obtained his credentials as a clinical psychologist and eventually went on to receive a diagnosis of schizophrenia. He was diagnosed at age 18 and was detained in psychiatric care three times. He said that psychotic symptoms develop as a result of emotional loss and social isolation. One of his documented delusions was that he was a spy for the British secret service. He also claimed to have received messages from radio and television – which lead to hospitalizations.

Rufus Watson – The son of Dr. James Watson, winner of the Nobel Prize for co-discovery of DNA. Dr. James Watson has become a strong advocate in understanding and improving the treatment of mental illness. His goal is to determine how genetics has an influence in the development of this condition.

Sarah Holcomb – She was an actress that starred in films such as “National Lampoon’s Animal House” (1978) as well as other films such as “Caddyshack” (1980).  She is remembered for her debut role in Animal House as Clorette DePasto – the daughter of Mayor Carmine DePasto.  At the time of filming, she was only 18 years old.  Unfortunately her life took a turn for the worse with accelerated drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and the eventual onset of schizophrenia.  A movie called “Stateside” from 2004 was said to be based on her career and life story.

Syd Barrett – The founding member of the band Pink Floyd is considered one of the most famous rock stars to ever develop a mental illness. Although there is some dispute as to what kind of mental illness he suffered from, his close friends and band members have identified his condition as schizophrenia. He had lived a relatively quiet life for three decades in a small cottage in England. Some hypothesize that his development of the condition was a result of high stress and significant drug abuse. He had a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia and experienced many environmental triggers – likely contributing factors for its development.

Tom Harrell – Jazz musician Tom Harrell was diagnosed with schizophrenia. He was dubbed as “the greatest trumpeter of his generation” by Entertainment Weekly. He has suffered from schizophrenia for years and fought the debilitating side effects of many medications that are used for treatment. For decades he took Stelazine, then switched to Zyprexa, and eventually Seroquel.

Vaslav Nijinsky – The famous Russian ballet dancer and choreographer was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Many consider him the greatest male dancer of the early 20th century. He was known for his virtuosity due to the detail and intensity of his performances. Many also know him for his incredible leaps. He became the star dancer for the Ballets Russes which showed Russian ballets in Paris. Although he experienced great success, he went on to develop schizophrenia after experiencing high amounts of stress. His wife had taken him to Switzerland to get treated by a psychiatrist, but treatment was not successful. He spend the remainder of his life in and out of psychiatric hospitals and various asylums.

Veronica Lake – This famous Hollywood actress of the 1940s was known for her performances in movies, television, as well as on stage. She is widely remembered for her role in Sullivan’s Travels and her roles with Alan Ladd during the 1940s. Her career flourished early on, but experienced a decline as a result of alcoholism and mental illness. She had a troubled childhood and according to her mother, was diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Vincent van Gogh – It is well known that many creative minds are linked to schizophrenia. Most people know Vincent van Gogh for his post-Impressionist paintings and profound visual artworks. He is thought to have suffered from both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Some suggest that craniofacial asymmetry from birth lead to much of his mental health problems.

Wesley Willis – This singer, songwriter, and visual artist from Chicago was diagnosed with chronic schizophrenia in 1989. His career began as an underground singer and songwriter and was known for his bizarre, humorous, and obscene lyrics. He developed a major cult following throughout the 1990s. He started his own punk band called Wesley Willis Fiasco and was also known for creating hundreds of colored ink-pen drawings that depicted the city of Chicago.

Will Elliott – This Australian writer is known for his novel “The Pilo Family Circus” which was published in 2006. It went on to win a variety of awards for being such an incredible piece of fiction. Although Will experienced much literary success, he dropped out of law school at age 20 when he began experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia. Despite the fact that his novel is about a guy struggling with an alter-ego, he claims that the book is not based on his own life. Elliot has since gone on to publish many short stories as well as a book “Strange Places” – a memoir that documents his experiences with schizophrenia.

William Chester Minor – This was the person known for most contributions to the Oxford English Dictionary. He began his life as an American surgeon for the army and worked on his contributions while staying in an insane asylum in the early 1900s. He found many of the quotes that you’ll see displayed for proper use of words. He suffered from paranoid schizophrenia, committed murder, and actually cut off his genitalia during a break with reality.

Zelda Fitzgerald – The wife of writer F. Scott Fitzgerald (also a dancer and artist) was said to have suffered from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. It cannot be fully verified that she had schizophrenia, but some hypothesize that she may have. Although she was diagnosed with schizophrenia, most historians believe this was a misdiagnosis and that she actually had bipolar disorder.

Other Famous People that May Have Had Schizophrenia

Marilyn Monroe’s Mother – It is pretty well documented that Marilyn Monroe’s mother was institutionalized for having paranoid schizophrenia. Mental illness ran in Monroe’s family and when her mother was asked about her famous daughter, she replied, “I have never heard of Marilyn Monroe.”

Mary Todd Lincoln – It is guessed that the wife of president Abraham Lincoln may have dealt with schizophrenia. It is suspected that she had it, but since diagnostic criteria wasn’t around during her time in history, it is not completely verifiable.

Michelangelo – Many historians say that Michelangelo had significant difficulties forming social relationships and his behavior was erratic. He was considered one of the most brilliant men to have ever lived. He is known for being an Italian painter, architect, engineer, and poet in the Renaissance era. Several historians hypothesize that he may have suffered from schizophrenia.

Vivien Leigh – She was the actress who played Scarlett O’Hara in the movie “Gone With the Wind.” According to biographer Ann Edwards, she suffered from a mental illness that resembled schizophrenia. However, due to her partying behavior with drugs and alcohol, some believe that it may have been a drug-induced schizophrenic state.

PTSD – 30 Famous Trauma Survivors

Politicians and Civil Rights Leaders

1 Martin Luther-King
Civil rights leader.
Harrassed, frequently beaten and sent death threats prior to his murder.

2 Nelson Mandela
Former president of South Africa.
A political prisoner for 27 years, he was jailed for ‘terrorism’, treated brutality and experienced near-starvation during the apartheid years in South Africa. Mandela was against violence and became the first black president of South Africa.

3 Bill Clinton
Former US President.
Child abuse, violent and alcoholic uncle. Secondary domestic violence.

4 Abraham Lincoln
Former US President.
Almost drowned at age seven, his mother died 2 years later, his older sister another 10 years later, and his first love died before they could marry. Three of his four children died in childhood, and he is described as experiencing long-term clinical depression and PTSD before his murder in 1956.

Athletes

5 Joe Simpson
Climber and author.
Simpson was a world-class climber when a climbing accident almost killed him. Seriously injured, with no emergency rescue available, and his climbing partner believing he was dead, Simpson somehow crawled down the mountain and survived. His book Touching the Void was the first of five climbing books he has written.

6 Monica Seles
Tennis player.
Seles was stabbed in the back by a rival’s fan during a match in 1993, at the height of her career. Her autobiography describes how her PTSD left her afraid to go back on the court with her back to the crowd, and how her injury affected her ability to play. Her attacker was not jailed so she also remained in fear of further attacks. She regained her health and athletic form, and overcame her PTSD avoidance enough to play professionally again.

7 Sheldon Kennedy
Ice hockey player in NHL.
Canadian athlete Sheldon Kennedy never fully reached his potential and remained silent until his autobiography Why I Didn’t Say Anything (2011), which revealed his coach’s frequent child sexual abuse. Kennedy raised $1 million for Canadian Red Cross sexual abuse programs.

Comedians, Artists and Musicians

8 Axl Rose
Musician, Guns N Roses.
Child sexual abuse.

9 Billy Connoly
Comedian.
Child sexual abuse (incest).

10 Marilyn Manson
Musician.
Child sexual abuse, his album and single “Smells Like Children” reflects this theme.
Lyrics may be triggering.

11 Mick Jagger
Singer/Musician.
Diagnosed with PTSD after his girlfriend, model L’Wren Scott, committed suicide in their home. Sudden and traumatic death of a loved one is a known cause of PTSD.

12 Spike Milligan
British comedian.
Traumatized in World War II, he fought in numerous campaigns in Italy and was wounded in the war. He was demoted after an officer refused to acknowledge he was suffering PTSD. After the war he developed bipolar disorder and had many breakdowns.

13 Tina Turner
Singer.
Tina Turner experienced Domestic Violence including rape at the hands of her husband, Ike, and child abuse. She become more famous after leaving Ike and becoming a solo artist. Her past is described in her autobiography and the film What’s Love Got To Do With It.

14 Tori Amos
Singer/Musician, Co-founded the Rape Abuse Incest National Network (RAINN).
Tori Amos is well known as a survivor of sexual abuse (rape), a theme which is present in many of her songs. Her music and history inspired the name of sexual assault forum Pandora’s Aquarium, named after one of her songs.

Authors and Journalists

15 Alice Sebold.
Author.
Sebold is a rape survivor, and best known as author of the best-selling book Lovely Bones. She was raised in a dysfunctional family, and her memoir Lucky describes her brutal rape, which she was told she was lucky to survive.

16 David H. Hackworth
Author and journalist at Newsweek.
Hackworth was awarded eight purple hearts, he lied about his age to enlist in the Army at fifteen years old, and served in the Korean and Vietnam wars. His books on military themes include The Price of Honor (1999) and Hazardous Duty (1997).

17 Jackie Kennedy Onasis
U.S. First Lady, 1961-1963.
Jackie Kennedy, later known as Jackie Onasis, witnessed the fatal shooting of her husband, U.S. President John F. Kennedy, by a sniper while she was sat next to him in an open-top car. She reacted by trying to grab his shattered head and prevent anything further coming out. She could easily have been murdered or shot by the same person. Later she remarried, and became an editor after her second husband died.

18 Stephen King
Author.
Stephen King is best known for his horror novels, including Carrie, The Shining, The Green Mile, and Misery. King was 4 years old when he witnessed another child being killed by a train, which he does not remember. He was seriously injured and nearly died in 1999 after being hit by a van while out walking. He almost lost his right leg.

19 Rudyard Kipling
Author and poet.
Child physical abuse including torture by his caregivers. Kipling is author of The Jungle Book, and Kim.

20 Victor Frankl
Psychiatrist, neurologist, and author.
Frankl, born in Austria, was director of the Neurological Department of Rothschild Hospital immediately before the Holocaust. He spent 3 years in concentration camps, and his wife died in the Bergen-Belsen camp. His best known book “Man’s Search for Meaning” sold over nine million copies on the U.S. He was awarded 29 honor degrees and lectured on 5 continents Actors, models and TV presentors

Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg witnessed two planes collide in midair as a child. As a comedienne, actress and talk show host, she’s required to travel frequently and has dealt with severe panic attacks when boarding planes. Goldberg has made it public that she receives therapy for her condition.

Darrell Hammond

Darrell Hammond, famous Saturday Night Live comedian and impressionist has spoken publicly about his diagnosis of PTSD. Severely abused as a child, Hammond dealt with years of alcohol and drug abuse, as well as self-harming. He has since become an advocate for treatment and is living a sober lifestyle.

Alanis Morissette

Alanis Morissette, singer/songwriter, suffered from PTSD due to her quick rise to fame for the album Jagged Little Pill. “It was an intense, constant, chronic over-stimulation and invasion of energetic and physical literal space,” she said in an interview. Alanis claims that she’s still coping with these issues.

Barbara Streisand

Barbara Streisand, iconic singer and actress, didn’t perform live for 30 years after a single performance in New York’s Central Park where she forgot the lyrics to a song she was singing. Streisand developed an intense fear of performance, and only overcame it after receiving both therapy and medication.

21 Alan Cumming
Actor.
Cumming suffered severe physical and emotional abuse as a child, at the hands of his father. He suffered flashbacks and an eating disorder. Cumming has won two Emmys and is best known for playing Eli Gold in The Good Wife. His memoir is called Not My Father’s Son.

22 Amanda Holden
Actress and TV presenter.
British actress Holden, best known as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent, was diagnosed with PTSD after nearly dying during a cesarean section during her daughter’s birth in 2012.

23 Carré Otis
Model and actress.
Carré Otis grew up with an alcoholic father, was raped at 17, experienced domestic violence, and was raped again as an adult. Her modeling career involved frequent sexual harassment, and she modeled for Guess? and Calvin Klein. She used eating disorders and drug addiction to cope with her difficult past. She is now an ambassador for the National Association of Eating Disorders.

24 Joan Collins
Actress
Collins recently spoke being drugged and date raped at 17 by her future husband, who was a famous star at the time. She felt obliged to marry him and guilty because he took her virginity; the marriage was abusive. She gave an interview about this in the film Brave Miss World, in which a former Miss World talked about her own rape.

25 Mo’Nique
Comedian and Actress.
Child sexual abuse. Mo’Nique drew on her experience to play the part of the abusive mother in the film Precious.

26 Oprah Winfrey
TV show host and author.
During a 1986 show on sexual abuse, Oprah revealed she had been raped by a relative as a 9 year-old, and was abused by several people for a number of years. She used sexual promiscuity to cope, having a baby at 14 who died. She continues to advocate for sexual abuse survivors.

27 Teri Hatcher
Actress.
A Bond girl and star of Desparate Housewives, Teri spoke in 2006 about being sexually abused as a 5 year-old.

28 Waris Dirie
Somalia-born supermodel, author and campaigner against FGM.
Waris experienced Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) as a 5 year old, which caused her years of pain. At 13 she was forced into marriage with a 60 year old, so she fled home and later found her way to London. She needed surgery prior to childbirth because of the damage.

Careers in Military

29 Audie Murphy
Soldier.
Military combat.
Famous for being the most decorated American Soldier of World War II, he was wounded many times and awarded the Medal of Honor and many Purple Hearts after being injured in combat. Physical injury increases the risk of PTSD. Murphy was also decorated by French and Belgian governments. After the war he sleep with an automatic pistol under his pillow and struggled with nightmares. He died in 1971.

30 Major General John Cantwell
Austrialian Army General
His autobiography Exit Wounds described how he hid his PTSD for 20 years and continued in the army, being promoted to Deputy Chief of the Australian Army. He experienced survivor guilt and avoided cars due to fear of car bombs. He became suicidal and was later admitted to a psychiatric ward for a week, retiring soon after.

Mental health experts aren’t sure why some people develop PTSD after experiencing trauma and others do not. When reactions to stressful events do not improve over time, fear, anxiety and other painful symptoms can make daily life extremely difficult, hence the name “post traumatic stress.” An estimated 5.2 million adults in the U.S. cope with PTSD each year.

People who suffer from PTSD are 9 times more likely to experience issues of drug and alcohol abuse and dependence. The combination of these illnesses complicate the symptoms and are referred to as dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders. Receiving the proper diagnosis for PTSD is an important first step in dealing with this treatable disease.

11 Famous People With Autism

"Leo Kanner first described autism almost 70 years ago, in 1944. Before that, autism didn't exist as far as clinicians were concerned, and its official prevalence was, therefore, zero. There were, obviously, people with autism, but they were simply considered insane."

When celebrities are open about their private lives, they do us all a favor by raising awareness about various health issues and causes. John Wayne, for example, is considered a trailblazer in Hollywood for coming forward about having cancer during an era when celebrities typically did not speak of such things.

Autism is considered a new developmental disorder as it did not clinically exist until 1944. This list of famous people with autism includes the full spectrum of the diagnosis. There are many celebrities and famous people that are just now being diagnosed as adults. Click through for a few well-known celebrities of today as well as other classic figures from the past.

Dan Aykroyd

According to a 2007 article in The Guardian, as a child, actor Dan Aykroyd was expelled from two schools for acting up and a psychiatrist had diagnosed him with a mild Asperger's syndrome. He also had a few tics and had shown signs of obsessive compulsive disorder.

Temple Grandin

"The thing about being autistic is that you gradually get less and less autistic, because you keep learning, you keep learning how to behave. It's like being in a play; I'm always in a play." - Temple Grandin
You can watch the movie about Temple (yes, the one where Claire Danes won a ton of well deserved rewards) on DVD.

Courtney Love

In a biography by Poppy Z, we learn that Courtney was was diagnosed by one of her therapists as mildly autistic.

Marty Balin

Marty Balin founded the psychedelic rock band Jefferson Airplane in 1965. There are many casual references online to him as a "singer who overcame partial autism as a young child." He has also recorded a song and intro to a short film about children with autism.

Dan Harmon

Dan is the creator and writer of the hit TV show Community. While developing one of the characters on his show, he began researching Asperger's syndrome and realized that he related to the character's pathology. In a fantastic interview with Wired Magazine, Dan shares his self-diagnosis of Asperger's: "I started looking up these symptoms, just to know what they are. And the more I looked them up, the more familiar they started to seem. Then I started taking these Internet tests."

Andy Warhol

We all know the soup cans, right? The simple, repeating pattern defined an entire era of art. Dr Judith Gould, director of Eliot House, Britain's leading diagnostic center for autism and Asperger's syndrome, suggests that Warhol's love of repetition was actually a symptom of autism.

Tim Burton

Tim's wife, Helena Bonham Carter, diagnosed him with Asperger's syndrome. While she was researching for a film she had a bit of an "a-ha moment" when so many of the symptoms of Asperger's syndrome lined up with the traits that she loves in her husband. Helena says: "We were watching a documentary about autism and he said that's how he felt as a child. Autistic people have application and dedication. You can say something to Tim when he's working and he doesn't hear you. But that quality also makes him a fantastic father, he has an amazing sense of humour and imagination. He sees things other people don't see."

James Durbin 

James was a hero to many when he competed on Season 10 of American Idol and was open about his Tourettes and Asperger's syndromes. James' debut album, Memories of a Beautiful Disaster, was released in 2011 and got solid reviews.

Daryl Hannah

Daryl has said that being diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome nearly ruined her career in Hollywood. "I never went on talk shows, never went to premieres," she says. "Going to the Academy Awards was so painful for me. I'd almost faint just walking down the red carpet. I was so socially awkward and uncomfortable that I eventually got blacklisted."

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 2 of 12

Mozart is said to have had repeated facial expressions and was in need of constant motion of his hands and feet. His hearing was also very sensitive. By studying letters between the musician and his family, historians have shared that one day Mozart was having a bit of a bored moment so he jumped up and hurdled over tables and chairs, meowed like a cat and did somersaults.

Famous People with Anxiety Disorders

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When a person is faced with a stressful situation, the body’s reaction is to become anxious. In some cases, that reaction is severe, causing individuals to become unable to move beyond the fear and anxiety they feel for long periods of time. Often, this is indicative of an anxiety disorder. There are a number of different types of anxiety disorders. The most common of these disorders includes general anxiety disorder, clinical anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, individual phobias, and agoraphobia.

More than 40 million adults over the age of 18 in the United States have an anxiety disorder. While the cause of anxiety disorders is unknown, most researchers and scientists believe that a combination of genetics and traumatic or triggering events is the most likely cause for the development of an anxiety disorder.

With more than 18 percent of the adult population in the nation suffering from an anxiety disorder, everyone is likely to know someone who has one of these conditions. Throughout history, politicians, writers, and artists have suffered from a variety of anxiety disorders. Many celebrities today have started to discuss their own experiences with these conditions, bringing exposure to the disorders and helping others to find ways to deal with the symptoms and causes. Here is a closer look at famous people with anxiety disorders and the impact that the disorders have had on their lives.

10. Abraham Lincoln

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Abraham Lincoln is famously depicted as somber and serious in photographs and descriptions of him throughout history books and historical accounts. Lincoln endured many traumatic events throughout his life, marked by the repeated loss of those close to him. As a young child, he lost his mother, and when he was only 18, he lost his beloved older sister. Lincoln would also lose ten of his twelve children to death, and he often felt inadequate because of a lack of social upbringing and education. These losses and his own feelings of inadequacy manifested in deep anxiety throughout his life and his presidency. Historians and psychiatric researchers typically agree that Lincoln must have suffered from severe generalized anxiety disorders, based on his letters and journals. Lincoln’s diagnosis would not have existed at the time, and he would have had to have found ways to deal with the stress and anxiety he felt as he managed the challenges of his presidency.

9. Emily Dickinson

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It can be difficult to diagnose a psychological condition after someone’s death, particularly for historical figures that lived prior to the twentieth century. Emily Dickinson, born in 1830, is one of America’s most beloved literary figures, and a world famous poetess. Almost as well known as her poetry, however, is Emily Dickinson’s reclusive nature. Through letters and historical records, experts and researchers have determined that Emily Dickinson began to limit her interaction with other people to her family members after leaving Mount Holyoke Female Seminary. Although Emily Dickinson conversed with journalists, other writers, and editors during the time that she lived, she limited the majority of her interaction to letter writing, refusing to meet most of them in person. As she grew older, her own fear of death also seemed to contribute to her increasing lack of interaction with others. Most experts agree that Dickinson suffered from some type of an anxiety disorder, possibly agoraphobia.

8. Vincent van Gogh

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Vincent van Gogh has been an interesting case study for psychiatric students throughout the world. There are a number of theories about the extent of van Gogh’s mental health disorders, and most expert agree that the famous artist suffered from a combination of a number of physical and psychiatric diseases. In addition to bipolar disorder and epilepsy, experts often agree that van Gogh suffered from anxiety disorders, and his stay in an asylum in the late nineteenth century noted this as one of van Gogh’s conditions. Additionally, historians also note the documentation of his anxiety in his own letters, where he notes that he has “fits of anxiety” and “attacks” of melancholy. Van Gogh also excessively drank liquor, especially absinthe, and this is possibly a cause of an increase in the severity of his anxiety and other disorders. He is also used in genetic studies and research because of the possible suicide of his younger brother and one of his sister’s schizophrenic diagnosis. Van Gogh ultimately committed suicide in his thirties.

7. Kim Basinger

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Kim Basinger’s struggle with anxiety disorders began when she was a child. Basinger suffers from social anxiety, panic disorder, and agoraphobia. The condition was so severe when she was a child that her parents thought it was possible that she had autism. She was tested for autism, along with many other psychiatric disorders, but her condition was not diagnosed. Basinger has been very public about her experiences with anxiety disorders, and she appeared in the documentary “Panic: A Film about Coping” produced HBO, hoping to raise awareness for the spectrum of these disorders. To treat her condition, Basinger turned to psychotherapeutic methods. Although she feels the condition has improved, she still notes that she has some instances of panic.

6. Barbra Streisand

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Barbra Streisand is known throughout Hollywood and the music industry for being very reclusive. She is not often seen in public, and, in fact, she would not perform publicly for nearly 30 years out of her career. This 30-year hiatus from public appearances, aside from those for charity, was the result of what happened at a concert that Streisand gave in Central Park in New York City. At the concert, Streisand forgot the lyrics to the song she was singing, and she developed an intense fear of performing in public again and having the same thing happen. Streisand was able to work through the panic attacks and anxiety disorder symptoms to begin to perform again publicly. The actress/singer has reported that medication was a part of the treatment for her symptoms.

5. Brian Wilson

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Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys is often regarded as one of the most creative and prolific musical artists and songwriters of all time. Most experts agree that Wilson’s battles with anxiety and other mental health disorders likely were triggered by his childhood experiences with an abusive father and an alcoholic mother. As a founder of the Beach Boys, he is credited as the creative driving force behind the band’s success, but his time in the group was marred by periods of depression and anxiety, resulting in his refusal to tour or perform with the group. During the highest points of his fame, Wilson self-medicated his conditions with illegal drugs. Since then, Wilson has found a way to deal with his condition, publishing an autobiography and beginning to perform publicly again. It has been reported that his treatment included the controversial 24-hour therapy treatment administered by now unlicensed clinical psychologist Eugene Landy.

4. Donny Osmond

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For many people with an anxiety disorder, the constant presence of anxiousness about stressful triggers is an almost impossible hurdle to get over. In Donny Osmond’s cases, that anxiety resulted in severe panic attacks that would send him to the corner of the room, curled up into the fetal position and unable to handle any situation. For Osmond, that stress was triggered by his own celebrity. Osmond worried constantly that he would not be successful in show business, letting not just himself down but also negatively affecting his family and their individual careers. Osmond sought professional mental health professionals and his treatment includes medication to control and fight the symptoms of the anxiety and panic attacks. After battling anxiety disorder and working to keep it under control, Osmond discussed his struggle in a memoir and on the Dr. Phil television show.

3. Paula Deen

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Some anxiety disorders manifest in a person’s inability to even leave their own homes to go about living day-to-day, seriously impeding everything from personal relationships to careers. This was the case for Paula Deen, the celebrity Southern chef, who developed an anxiety disorder after the loss of her parents. After both of Deen’s parents passed away before she was in her mid-twenties, she developed an intense fear of dying, leading to an acute condition of agoraphobia. Agoraphobia occurs when a person feels that situations are dangerous, or sometimes highly uncomfortable. Deen began to have panic attacks from her own fear of death, and she would often not leave her own home for weeks at a time. To overcome this anxiety, Deen relied on religious prayer and other spiritual methods.

2. Whoopi Goldberg

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Whoopi Goldberg, a famous actress, comedienne, and talk show host, needs to travel. For Goldberg, this was complicated for many years because of her deep fear of flying. This type of fear is a phobia, one specific type of anxiety disorder, often also called aerophobia. Often, individuals who suffer from a phobia undergo cognitive behavior therapy and exposure therapy. Before recent treatment, Goldberg would travel only by bus, train, or car in order to get from one end of the country to the other. Her fear of flying was the result of witnessing a mid-air collision between two planes more than 30 years ago. Goldberg’s own treatment was a type of exposure therapy in which she enrolled in a flying without fear program.

1. Howie Mandel

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In 2009, Howie Mandel revealed to the public that he suffered from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), one type of anxiety disorder. Mandel’s condition manifests itself in a deep fear of germs. Because he constantly travels, Mandel keeps a black light and a magnifying glass with him in order to inspect all of his hotel rooms for bedbugs and germs that could be around the room or on the bed. He will also only travel on a private plane because he fears the germs on commercial flights. Individuals with OCD become increasingly obsessed with rituals and are unable to overcome fears of the spread of germs, in spite of acute knowledge of the irrationality of their fears. Mandel manages his own condition with medication and psychotherapy.

Anxiety Disorder List Continued

Adele (musician)

Al Kasha (songwriter)

Alfred Lord Tennyson (poet)

Amanda Bynes (actress)

Amanda Seyfried (actress)

Ann Wilson (singer)

Anne Tyler (author)

Anthony Hopkins (actor)

Aretha Franklin (singer)

Barbara Bush (former First Lady - U.S.)

Beverly Johnson (supermodel)

Bonnie Raitt (musician)

Burt Reynolds (actor)

Carly Simon (singer)

Charles Schultz (cartoonist)

Charlize Theron (actress)

Cher (singer, actress)

Christina Ricci (actress)

Chloë Sevigny (actress)

Dave Stewart of the (singer – Eurythmics)

David Beckham (soccer star)

David Bowie (singer)

Dean Cain (actor)

Deana Carter (singer)

Drew Barrymore (actress)

Earl Campbell (Heisman Trophy winner)

Edie Falco (actress)

Elizabeth Taylor (actress)

Emma Stone (actress)

Eric Clapton (musician)

Goldie Hawn

Heather Locklear (actress)

Howard Stern (king of media)

James Garner (actor)

Jennifer Lawrence (actress)

Jessica Alba (actress)

Jim Eisenreich (baseball)

Joan Rivers (actress)

John Candy (comedian)

John Cougar Mellencamp (musician, actor)

John Cleese (actor)

John Madden (announcer)

John Mayer (musician)

Johnny Depp (actor)

Judy Garland (actress)

Kate Moss (supermodel)

Lani O'Grady (actress)

Leila Kenzle (actress)

Marie Osmond (entertainer)

Marty Ingels (comedian)

Marilyn Monroe (actress)

Michael Jackson (singer)

Mickey Rourke (actor)

Miley Cyrus (musician)

Naomi Campbell (model)

Naomi Judd (singer)

Nicholas Cage (actor)

Nicole Kidman (actress)

Olivia Hussey (actress)

Pete Harnisch (baseball)

Ray Charles (musician)

Robin Quivers (radio host)

Sally Field (actress)

Scarlett Johansson (actress)

Shecky Greene (comedian)

Sigmund Freud (psychiatrist)

Sir Laurence Olivier (actor)

Sissy Spacek (actress)

Susan Powter (tv host)

Tom Snyder (host)

Tony Dow (actor director)

Vinny Guadagnino (actor)

Famous People Suffering Depression

Buzz Aldrin

Roseanne Barr

Ludwig van Beethoven

Terry Bradshaw

Marlon Brando

Delta Burke

Earl Campbell

Winston Churchill

Dick Clark

Kurt Cobain

Judy Collins

Pat Conroy

Calvin Coolidge

Sheryl Crow

John Daly

Princess Diana

Charles Dickens

Patty Duke

Carrie Fisher

Linda Hamilton

Ernest Hemingway

Billy Joel

Margot Kidder

Heath Ledger

Vivien Leigh

Abraham Lincoln

Greg Louganis

Michelangelo

Sir Isaac Newton

Rosie O’Donnell

Jane Pauley

J. K. Rowling

Daryl Strawberry

Emma Thompson

Leo Tolstoy

John Claude Van Damme

Vincent Van Gogh

Mike Wallace

Ricky Williams

Tammy Wynette

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