Famous People With Depression
Stories of famous people with depression and other mood disorders.
Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln was reported to suffer from "melancholia", which we know today as depression.
Lincoln was reported to suffer from "melancholia", which we know today as depression.
Adam Ant
A brush with the law in 2002 revealed that Adam Ant, a British musician, had bipolar disorder.
A brush with the law in 2002 revealed that Adam Ant, a British musician, had bipolar disorder.
Adam Duritz
In a 2008 interview, Adam Duritz revealed that during the peak of his fame as lead singer for the group Counting Crows he suffered from mental illness, including severe depression.
In a 2008 interview, Adam Duritz revealed that during the peak of his fame as lead singer for the group Counting Crows he suffered from mental illness, including severe depression.
Amy Tan
Chinese American writer Amy Tan has said that her mother witnessed Tan's grandmother committing suicide. She believes that she, her mother and grandmother all have suffered from depression.
Chinese American writer Amy Tan has said that her mother witnessed Tan's grandmother committing suicide. She believes that she, her mother and grandmother all have suffered from depression.
Anne Rice
American writer Rice has suffered from depression due to long-term illness and the loss of her husband.
American writer Rice has suffered from depression due to long-term illness and the loss of her husband.
Ashley Judd
Ashley Judd, actress and daughter/half-sister of the singing duo The Judds, revealed in 2006 that she had suffered from depression and an eating disorder.
Ashley Judd, actress and daughter/half-sister of the singing duo The Judds, revealed in 2006 that she had suffered from depression and an eating disorder.
Billy Corgan
American musician from the band The Smashing Pumpkins, reported to have suffered from deep depression while working hard on the band's albums.
American musician from the band The Smashing Pumpkins, reported to have suffered from deep depression while working hard on the band's albums.
Billy Joel
A profile of the musician Billy Joel and his struggles with depression.
A profile of the musician Billy Joel and his struggles with depression.
Boris Yeltsin
An article about the Russian president Boris Yeltsin, his depression, and his rumored alcohol problems.
An article about the Russian president Boris Yeltsin, his depression, and his rumored alcohol problems.
Brian Wilson
Beach Boy Brian Wilson suffered a breakdown in the 1970's due to mental illness and drug abuse.
Beach Boy Brian Wilson suffered a breakdown in the 1970's due to mental illness and drug abuse.
Brooke Shields
A profile of actress Brooke Shields and her experiences with postpartum depression.
A profile of actress Brooke Shields and her experiences with postpartum depression.
Buzz Aldrin
In recent years, astronaut Buzz Aldrin has spoken frankly about his past depression and alcohol abuse.
In recent years, astronaut Buzz Aldrin has spoken frankly about his past depression and alcohol abuse.
David Bohm
American physicist who experienced bouts of depression thoughout his life.
American physicist who experienced bouts of depression thoughout his life.
Delta Burke
In 2008, Delta Burke, best known for her role on the TV series Designing Women, spoke candidly about her depression and hospitalization during an interview with The Insider.
In 2008, Delta Burke, best known for her role on the TV series Designing Women, spoke candidly about her depression and hospitalization during an interview with The Insider.
Diana, Princess of Wales
A profile of Diana, Princess of Wales and her struggles with depression and eating disorders.
A profile of Diana, Princess of Wales and her struggles with depression and eating disorders.
Dick Cavett
American talk show host Dick Cavett has spoken openly about his depression, which began when he was in college. He was sued in 1997 by a producer for breach of contract when failing to show up for a nationally syndicated radio program. Cavett's lawyer confirmed to the Associated Press at the time that Cavett left due to a manic-depressive episode.
American talk show host Dick Cavett has spoken openly about his depression, which began when he was in college. He was sued in 1997 by a producer for breach of contract when failing to show up for a nationally syndicated radio program. Cavett's lawyer confirmed to the Associated Press at the time that Cavett left due to a manic-depressive episode.
Drew Carey
In an interview with Access Hollywood's Nancy O'Dell, comedian and host of The Price Is Right Drew Carey revealed a darker side of himself. “I was depressed for a long time,” said Carey. So depressed that at the age of 18 and again in his 20's he attempted to take his own life by overdosing on pills.
In an interview with Access Hollywood's Nancy O'Dell, comedian and host of The Price Is Right Drew Carey revealed a darker side of himself. “I was depressed for a long time,” said Carey. So depressed that at the age of 18 and again in his 20's he attempted to take his own life by overdosing on pills.
Emma Thompson
Nanny McPhee star Emma Thompson has revealed that in the past she suffered from depression, brought on by her attempts to conceive via in vitro fertilization.
Nanny McPhee star Emma Thompson has revealed that in the past she suffered from depression, brought on by her attempts to conceive via in vitro fertilization.
Harrison Ford
A profile of the actor Harrison Ford and his struggles with depression.
A profile of the actor Harrison Ford and his struggles with depression.
Heath Ledger
Prior to his 2008 overdose, Aussie actor Heath Ledger, star of the gay romance movie Brokeback Mountain, suffered from depression, insomnia and addiction.
Prior to his 2008 overdose, Aussie actor Heath Ledger, star of the gay romance movie Brokeback Mountain, suffered from depression, insomnia and addiction.
Hugh Laurie
Hugh Laurie, the multi-talented British actor who portrays the tortured genius Dr. Greg House on Fox's hit medical drama House, admitted in a 2007 interview that he was suffering from depression.
Hugh Laurie, the multi-talented British actor who portrays the tortured genius Dr. Greg House on Fox's hit medical drama House, admitted in a 2007 interview that he was suffering from depression.
J. K. Rowling
In an interview with Adeel Amini for a student magazine at Edinburgh University, Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling revealed that she had once been suicidally depressed.
In an interview with Adeel Amini for a student magazine at Edinburgh University, Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling revealed that she had once been suicidally depressed.
Jeffrey Sebelia
Project Runway winner Jeffrey Sebelia once battled depression and came close to committing suicide.
Project Runway winner Jeffrey Sebelia once battled depression and came close to committing suicide.
Jim Carrey
A profile of the comedian Jim Carrey and his struggles with depression.
A profile of the comedian Jim Carrey and his struggles with depression.
John Denver
When Denver's career fell into a slump in the '80s, he found himself alone without a wife, and began developing a serious problem with depression and alcohol.
When Denver's career fell into a slump in the '80s, he found himself alone without a wife, and began developing a serious problem with depression and alcohol.
Kurt Cobain
Best known as the lead singer and guitarist for the grunge band Nirvana, Kurt Cobain died of a gunshot wound at the age of 27. The official cause of death is listed as suicide.
Best known as the lead singer and guitarist for the grunge band Nirvana, Kurt Cobain died of a gunshot wound at the age of 27. The official cause of death is listed as suicide.
Marie Osmond
Marie Osmond was one of the first celebrities to speak out about the reality of postpartum depression.
Marie Osmond was one of the first celebrities to speak out about the reality of postpartum depression.
Mark Roget
Mark Roget, the creator of Roget's Thesaurus, found at an early age that making lists of words helped him to cope with his depression.
Mark Roget, the creator of Roget's Thesaurus, found at an early age that making lists of words helped him to cope with his depression.
Mike Wallace
Newscaster Mike Wallace showed us that even men, who often believe they must be strong and not show vulnerability, can become depressed.
Newscaster Mike Wallace showed us that even men, who often believe they must be strong and not show vulnerability, can become depressed.
Olivia Newton-John
Speaking with the Australian Women's Weekly magazine, singer Olivia Newton-John revealed that she had struggled with depression following the disappearance of her long-time partner Patrick McDermott.
Speaking with the Australian Women's Weekly magazine, singer Olivia Newton-John revealed that she had struggled with depression following the disappearance of her long-time partner Patrick McDermott.
Owen Wilson
In August of 2007, Owen Wilson, who starred in such movies as Wedding Crashers and Starsky & Hutch was reported as having attempted suicide. He has thus far not publicly spoken about this event or having depression, however.
In August of 2007, Owen Wilson, who starred in such movies as Wedding Crashers and Starsky & Hutch was reported as having attempted suicide. He has thus far not publicly spoken about this event or having depression, however.
Pete Wentz
In an interview with Q magazine, Fall Out Boy bassist and songwriter Pete Wentz revealed that he has bipolar disorder.
In an interview with Q magazine, Fall Out Boy bassist and songwriter Pete Wentz revealed that he has bipolar disorder.
Richard Jeni
Comedian Richard Jeni, best known for appearances on the Tonight Show and his HBO comedy specials, died on March 10, 2007 from what appeared to be suicide.
Comedian Richard Jeni, best known for appearances on the Tonight Show and his HBO comedy specials, died on March 10, 2007 from what appeared to be suicide.
Rodney Dangerfield
Although diagnosed later in life with clinical depression, Dangerfield believed that it began early in his life due to a father who abandoned him and a mother whose cruel remarks made him feel worthless.
Although diagnosed later in life with clinical depression, Dangerfield believed that it began early in his life due to a father who abandoned him and a mother whose cruel remarks made him feel worthless.
Rosie O'Donnell
During her tenure on The View, Rosie O'Donnell discussed her depression following the Columbine High School shooting and how she currently uses inversion therapy to help control her depression.
During her tenure on The View, Rosie O'Donnell discussed her depression following the Columbine High School shooting and how she currently uses inversion therapy to help control her depression.
Sheryl Crow
A profile of musician Sheryl Crow and her experiences with depression.
A profile of musician Sheryl Crow and her experiences with depression.
Tennessee Williams
American playwright who was reported to have a fear of becoming insane like his sister and went into a decade-long depression after the death of his lover.
American playwright who was reported to have a fear of becoming insane like his sister and went into a decade-long depression after the death of his lover.
Terry Bradshaw
A profile of the football great Terry Bradshaw and his struggles with depression.
A profile of the football great Terry Bradshaw and his struggles with depression.
Thomas F. Eagleton
In 1972, when depression was much more stigmatized than it is now, Sen. Eagleton, who at the time was the running mate of presidential candidate George McGovern, held a press conference to reveal that he had been treated for depression and had received ECT (electroconvulsive therapy). He eventually left the ticket.
In 1972, when depression was much more stigmatized than it is now, Sen. Eagleton, who at the time was the running mate of presidential candidate George McGovern, held a press conference to reveal that he had been treated for depression and had received ECT (electroconvulsive therapy). He eventually left the ticket.
Trent Reznor
American musician from the band Nine Inch Nails who says he suffered from depression in the late 90's. In a 1999 interview for Rolling Stone magazine, he said that "It just took me time to sit down and change my head and my life around. I had to slap myself in the face: 'If you want to kill yourself, do it, save everybody the fucking hassle. Or get your shit together.'"
American musician from the band Nine Inch Nails who says he suffered from depression in the late 90's. In a 1999 interview for Rolling Stone magazine, he said that "It just took me time to sit down and change my head and my life around. I had to slap myself in the face: 'If you want to kill yourself, do it, save everybody the fucking hassle. Or get your shit together.'"
Vincent Van Gogh
An article about the artist Vincent Van Gogh and his depression.
Winston Churchill
An essay about the depression of Winston Churchill.
More Famous
People with DepressionAn article about the artist Vincent Van Gogh and his depression.
Winston Churchill
An essay about the depression of Winston Churchill.
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Contents: Top - 0–9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
- Caroline Aherne, British comedy performer[1]
- Buzz Aldrin, American astronaut, the second man to set foot on the moon [2]
- Woody Allen, American film director [3] [4]
- Claus von Amsberg, German diplomat and husband of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands [5]
- Hans Christian Andersen, Danish writer [6]
- Hideaki Anno, Japanese animator and film director [7]
- Malcolm Arnold, British composer [8]
- Machado de Assis, Brazilian writer [9]
B
- David Banner, American hip hop artist [10]
- Parveen Babi, Bollywood actress. [11]
- Charles Baudelaire, French poet [12]
- Ingmar Bergman, Swedish film director [13]
- William Blake, British poet and painter [14]
- Kjell Magne Bondevik, Norwegian politician Prime Minister of Norway [15]
- David Bohm, American quantum physicist [16]
- Terry Bradshaw, American Quarterback [17]
- Joe Budden, American hip hop artist [18]
- Robert Burton British academic author of The Anatomy of Melancholy [19]
C
- Albert Camus, French writer and philosopher [20] [21]
- Drew Carey, American comedian and actor [22]
- Jim Carrey, Canadian actor and comedian [23]
- Dick Cavett, American talk show host [15][broken footnote]
- Melanie Chisholm, English pop singer-songwriter [24]
- Raymond Chandler, writer of detective fiction
- Iris Chang, Chinese American writer and historian [25]
- Lawton Chiles, American politician [15][broken footnote]
- Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister [26]
- Agatha Christie, English crime writer [27]
- Leonard Cohen, Canadian songwriter [28]
- Joseph Conrad, Polish writer [29]
- Billy Corgan, American musician, (The Smashing Pumpkins) [30]
- Sheryl Crow, American musician [31]
- Rivers Cuomo, American musician, (Weezer) [32]
- Ian Curtis, British musician, leader of Joy Division [33]
D
- Roméo Dallaire, Canadian general, senator and humanitarian [34]
- Rodney Dangerfield, American comedian and actor [35]
- Edgar Degas, French painter [36]
- John Denver, American musician [37]
- Charles Dickens, British writer [38]
- Nick Drake, British musician [39]
- Doug Duncan, American politician [15][broken footnote]
E
- Thomas Eagleton, American senator[40]
- T. S. Eliot, American poet[41]
F
- Paul Feyerabend, Austrian philosopher of science [42]
- Harrison Ford, American actor [43]
- Michel Foucault, French philosopher [44]
G
- Geoff Gallop, Australian politician [45]
- Romain Gary, French-Lithuanian-Polish novelist and diplomat [46]
- Paul Gauguin, French painter [47]
- Carlo Gesualdo, Italian composer, after murdering his wife, her lover, and his own son [48]
- Paul Getty, British philanthropist [49]
- Vincent Van Gogh, Dutch painter [50]
- Francisco de Goya, Spanish painter [51]
- Spalding Gray, American actor and writer [52]
- Graham Greene, British writer [53]
- Eddie Griffin, American NBA Player. [54]
H
- Tony Hancock, English actor and comedian [55]
- Andrew Hansen,Australian comedian,part of The Chaser team [56]
- Elizabeth Hartman, American actress [57]
- Ernest Hemingway, American writer [58]
- Margaux Hemingway, American actress; granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway [59]
- John Hinckley, Jr., American would-be assassin of Ronald Reagan [60]
- Sir Julian Huxley, British biologist, author and administrator[61]
- Herbert Hart, British Philosopher [62]
I
- Natalie Imbruglia, Australian singer-songwriter, actress and model. [63]
J
- Janet Jackson, American singer[64]
- Henry James, British writer [65]
- William James, American philosopher and psychologist [66]
- Billy Joel, American musician [67]
- Daniel Johns, Australian musician [68]
- Samuel Johnson, British lexicographer, biographer, essayist and poet [69]
- Ashley Judd, American actress [70]
- Jung Da Bin, Korean actress [71]
K
- Sarah Kane, British playwright [72]
- Susanna Kaysen, American writer [73]
- John Keats, British poet [74]
- David Kelly, English weapons inspector and biological warfare expert. [75]
- Kool Keith, American hip hop artist [76]
- Søren Kierkegaard, Danish philosopher [77]
- Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, German painter [78]
- John Kirwan, New Zealand rugby player, former All Black, currently coach of Japan national rugby team. [79]
- Akira Kurosawa, Japanese film director [80]
L
- Alan Ladd, American actor [81]
- Hugh Laurie, British actor [82]
- Denis Lawson, British actor [83]
- Neil Lennon, Northern Irish footballer [84]
- Meriwether Lewis, American Explorer [85]
- Abraham Lincoln, American lawyer and politician, 16th President of the United States [86]
- Oscar Lopez, Chilean-Canadian folk guitarist [87]
- Federico García Lorca, Spanish poet [88]
- Martin Luther, German priest and theologian [89]
M
- Paul Merton, English comedian [90]
- Gustav Mahler, German composer [91]
- Henri Matisse, French painter [92]
- Vladimir Mayakovsky, Russian writer and poet [93]
- Brian May British guitarist [94]
- Guy de Maupassant, French writer [95]
- Ewan McGregor, Scottish actor [96]
- Herman Melville, American writer [97]
- Charlotte Mew, British poet [98]
- Michelangelo, Italian painter and sculptor [99]
- John Stuart Mill, British political philosopher [100]
- Spike Milligan, Irish comedian and writer [101]
- Joan Miró, Spanish painter [102]
- Morrissey, British singer and former frontman of The Smiths [103]
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Austrian composer [104]
N
- Isaac Newton, British physicist [105]
- Friedrich Nietzsche, German philosopher [106]
O
- Bill Oddie, British comedy performer and naturist [107]
- Eugene O'Neill, American playwright [108]
- Robert Oppenheimer, American physicist 'father of the atomic bomb' [109]
- Marie Osmond, American musician [110]
P
- Henri Paul, French chauffer, driver during the car crash that killed Diana, Princess of Wales. [111]
- Ryan Phillippe, American actor [112]
- T. Boone Pickens, Jr., American oil tycoon [113]
- Sylvia Plath, American writer [114]
- Edgar Allan Poe, American poet and writer [115] (speculated)
- Bill Pulsipher, American baseball player [116]
- Jackson Pollock, American Painter [117]
R
- Trent Reznor, American musician [118]
- Anne Rice, American writer [119]
- Rainer Maria Rilke, Austrian poet [120]
- John D. Rockefeller, American Industrialist [121]
- Mark Rothko, American painter [122]
- Hans Rott, Austrian composer [123]
- JK Rowling, British writer [124]
S
- Siegfried Sassoon, British poet and soldier [125]
- Robert Schumann, German composer [126]
- Jean Seberg, American actress [127]
- Brian Sewell, English art critic [128]
- Will Self, English novelist, reviewer and columnist [129]
- Anne Sexton, American poet [130]
- Brooke Shields, American actress [131]
- Sarah Silverman, American comedian [132]
- Elliott Smith, American musician [133]
- Vivian Stanshall, British humourist and musician (Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band) [134]
- Rod Steiger, American actor [135]
- William Styron, writer [15]
- Britney Spears, American pop singer [136]
T
- Amy Tan, Chinese American writer [137]
- Catherine Tate, English comedienne and actress [138]
- Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Russian composer [139]
- Leo Tolstoy, Russian writer [140]
- Georg Trakl, Austrian poet [141]
- Lars Von Trier, Danish film director [142]
- Mark Twain, American writer [143]
- Jeff Tweedy, American musician (Wilco).[144]
V
- Ned Vizzini - American writer [145]
- Kurt Vonnegut - American author [146]
- Ville Valo - Finnish singer (HIM) [147]
W
- Mike Wallace, American journalist on 60 Minutes [15][broken footnote]
- Evelyn Waugh, British novelist and journalist [148]
- Dan White, American killer of Harvey Milk and George Moscone [149]
- Walt Whitman, American poet [150]
- Kevin Whitrick, British electrical engineer[151]
- Robbie Williams, British pop singer [152]
- Tennessee Williams, American playwright [153],
- William Carlos Williams, American poet [154]
- Brian Wilson, American musician (Beach Boys) [155]
- Gregory Wilton, Australian politician [156]
- Hugo Wolf, Austrian composer [157]
- Elizabeth Wurtzel, American writer [158]
Z
- Stefan Zweig, Austrian poet [159]
List of people affected by bipolar disorder
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from List of people believed to have been affected by bipolar disorder)
This is a list of people accompanied by verifiable source citations associating them with bipolar disorder. This list includes only: a) deceased persons; and b) living persons who have been frank about their condition. It does not include speculation about status of living people who have not publicly stated themselves to have bipolar disorder. In addition to the above criteria, persons are only listed here if they also meet the Wikipedia notability criteria for biographical articles.
Many of the older cases are speculations, based on their biographies rather than an actual medical diagnosis, and in many cases are not widely accepted by historians, biographers, or physicians.
Many famous people are believed to have been affected by bipolar disorder (formerly known as manic depression), based on evidence in their own writings and contemporaneous accounts by those who knew them. It is often suggested that genius (or, at least, creative talent) and mental disorder are linked, as discussed by Kay Redfield Jamison in Touched with Fire, though many of the diagnoses in that book are made by Jamison herself.
Note that this list should not contain entries for performers who have an apparently manic or depressive public persona, but do not meet the criteria above, nor should the content of song lyrics or other creative works be regarded as autobiographical without independent external evidence that confirms this.
List
Contents: Top - 0–9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
- Rigoberto Alpizar, shooting victim.[1]
- Sophie Anderton, model[2]
- Adam Ant, musician[3]
B
- Charles Baudelaire, author.[4]
- Thomas Lovell Beddoes, poet and dramatist.[4]
- Ludwig van Beethoven, composer.[5][6]Scientific analysis of Beethoven's hair has given rise to speculation that lead poisoning may have been a cause of his depression.
- Andy Behrman, author of the book Electroboy: A Memoir of Mania[7][8]
- Max Bemis, frontman of the band Say Anything, spoke about his diagnosis in an interview with Spin magazine in 2006.[9]
- Maurice Benard, actor. He has discussed his diagnosis with Oprah Winfrey, and has since become active in promoting bipolar awareness.[10]
- Ludwig Boltzmann, physicist and mathematician. He "suffered from an alternation of depressed moods with elevated, expansive or irritable moods". John J. O'Connor and Edmund F. Robertson.[11]
- Adrian Borland, British musician[12]
- Russell Brand, comedian and actor. "In a low-key admission at the end the book, he says he was finally diagnosed with bipolar disorder – manic depression – after he kicked the drugs for good in 2002 which goes some way to explaining his almost superhuman indifference to the chaos and catastrophe that almost lead him to obscurity in a toilet somewhere smoking crack for good."[13]
- Jeremy Brett, actor[14]
- Frank Bruno, boxer; was hospitalized for a short period and is currently on lithium.[15][16][17]
- Lord Byron, poet.[4]
C
- Georg Cantor, mathematician. Cantor's recurring bouts of depression from 1884 to the end of his life were once blamed on the hostile attitude of many of his contemporaries,[18] but these bouts can now be seen as probable manifestations of a bipolar disorder.[19]
- Dick Cavett, television journalist. "CAVETT: Both in hypomanic, which I have had, and incidentally, one has to admit many patients say I am cured now, I am fine. But I must say I miss those hypomanic states. They are better off where they are."[20]
- Iris Chang, historian and journalist for the San Francisco Chronicle[21]
- Winston Churchill, politician and British Prime Minister.[6] Churchill often referred to depression as his "black dog". He is also recorded to have undergone manic phases of intense productivity. None of Churchill's numerous biographers, however, have claimed that he was actually bipolar. In 2006 a controversial statue of Churchill wearing a straitjacket was unveiled in Norwich in an attempt to highlight the stigma of mental health problems. Three days later it was taken down due to public outcry.[22] The series Altered Statesmen suggests that Churchill had Cyclothymia.[23]
- Kurt Cobain, musician. His cousin, Beverly Cobain, a "registered nurse (…) [with] experience as a mental health professional" and author of a book, When Nothing Matters Anymore: A Survival Guide for Depressed Teens ISBN 1-57542-036-8, stated in an interview: "Kurt was diagnosed at a young age with Attention Deficit Disorder [ADD], then later with bipolar disorder; (…) As Kurt undoubtedly knew, bipolar illness can be very difficult to manage, and the correct diagnosis is crucial. Unfortunately for Kurt, compliance with the appropriate treatment is also a critical factor."[24]
- Samuel Taylor Coleridge, poet.[25] His condition is more commonly directly attributed to drug use. "Around 1796, Coleridge started using opium as a pain reliever"
- Robert S. Corrington, theologist. In his book Riding the Windhorse: Manic-Depressive Disorder and the Quest for Wholeness ISBN 9780761826194 (Hamilton Books, New York, 2003) he gives a personal account of his own struggles with the condition.
D
- Ray Davies, musician: is openly bipolar; also see his autobiography, X-Ray
- Charles Dickens, author.[4]
- Richard Dreyfuss, actor, BBC Documentary[26]
- Patty Duke, actress.[6][27]
E
- Ralph Waldo Emerson, author, poet, and philosopher.[28]
F
- Carrie Fisher, actress and writer. "'I ended up being diagnosed as a bipolar II,' says Fisher."[29][30]
- Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald, writer.[31]
- William Faulkner, writer.[31]
- Stephen Foster, songwriter.[31]
- Stephen Fry, actor, comedian and writer. "As a sufferer of the disorder, Stephen Fry is speaking to other sufferers to find out about their experiences and visiting leading experts in the UK and US to examine the current state of understanding and research."[32][33][34]
G
- Trisha Goddard, English television presenter. [35]
- Peter Gabriel, English Musician. [36]
- Alan Garner, novelist. According to the Guardian, "In The Voice that Thunders (Harvill), a collection of critical and autobiographical essays, Garner casts light on his writing and thinking, and the role that manic depression plays in his creativity".[37][38]
- Paul Gascoigne, English footballer. "His second book, released this year, centres on his therapy - for alcoholism, eating disorders, OCD, and bipolar disorder, among others."[39]
- Matthew Good, Canadian musician. He first disclosed his illness in a personal blog. It was during the writing and recording of Hospital Music that he suffered one of his worst episodes.[40]
- Philip Graham, publisher and businessman. "It had finally penetrated to me that Phil's diagnosis was manic-depression…" Katherine Graham (1997), Personal History, p.328; Knopf, 1997, ISBN 0-394-58585-2 (book has numerous other references).
- Macy Gray, musician and actor. As documented in her song "Relating to a Psychopath"[41] and in an interview with Saul Williams[42]
- Graham Greene, English novelist.[43] Extract from Graham Greene: A Life in Letters]: "Greene was managing the impulses of bipolar illness, involving mood swings from elation, expansiveness or irritability to despair and would quickly be guilty of repeated infidelities."
- Ivor Gurney, English composer and poet. "New Perspectives on Ivor Gurney's Mental Illness", Pamela Blevins, Ivor Gurney Society Journal, Volume 6, 2000.
H
- Alexander Hamilton, politician.[44]
- Linda Hamilton, actress. Star of the Terminator movies. Was diagnosed at the age of 40[45]
- Mariette Hartley, American actress, has publicly spoken about her bipolar disorder.[46]
- Jonathan Hay, Australian rules footballer[47]
- Ernest Hemingway, writer.[31]
- Kristin Hersh, musician, formerly of rock band Throwing Muses, is occasionally mentioned as having bipolar disorder, one example being a Muses biography.[48] She has also mentioned the disorder in several interviews.
- Hermann Hesse, writer.[31]
- Abbie Hoffman, political activist: "Abbie was diagnosed in 1980 as having bipolar disorder, more commonly known as manic depression." Jezer, Marty (1993). Abbie Hoffman. Rutgers University Press. ISBN 0-8135-2017-7. p. xvii
- Marya Hornbacher, writer. Hornbacher wrote Madness, a memoir of her struggle with bipolar disorder, after writing Wasted, which detailed her eating disorder.
I
- Jack Irons, drummer, formerly of Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pearl Jam.[49]
J
- Kay Redfield Jamison, clinical psychologist and Professor of Psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, who profiled her own bipolar disorder in her 1995 memoir An Unquiet Mind and argued for a connection between bipolar disorder and artistic creativity in her 1993 book, Touched with Fire.
- Daniel Johnston, musician: "Johnston's output in his late teens and early 20s proved to be a symptom of his worsening manic depression." The Guardian Unlimited, Saturday August 20, 2005: "Personal demons", review of film, The Devil and Daniel Johnston:[50]
- Andrew Johns, Professional Rugby League Player. — has gone public about his condition.[51]
K
- Chris Kanyon, wrestler — self-described, diagnosed.[52] "I have gone thru (sic) some rough times, which ultimately led to me being diagnosed with clinical Bipolar Depression (also known as Manic Depression). I have spent the last year learning about and understanding my condition and we have finally got my medications balanced to the point where I feel I am in the best mental state of my life."
- Kerry Katona, English television presenter, writer, magazine columnist and former pop singer with girl band Atomic Kitten. BBC[53]
- John Keats, poet[28][6]
- Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy has been open about mental health issues, including being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.[54]
- Otto Klemperer, conductor[55]
- Margot Kidder, actress — self-described:[56] "I have been well and free of the symptoms that are called manic-depression for almost five years, and have been working steadily and leading a happy and productive life since then."
- Patrick Kroupa, writer and hacker, has been very open about his drug use and mental health issues, after his last heroin detox in 1999. He mentions bipolar disorder openly in several interviews.[57][58][59]
L
- Vivien Leigh, actress, cited in Holden, Anthony, Laurence Olivier, Sphere Books Limited, 1989, ISBN 0689115369 ; pp 221-222
- Neil Lennon Footballer with Celtic FC open about his battles with depression[60]
- Jenifer Lewis, American actress, spoke about her diagnosis on Oprah in September 2007.[61]
M
- Kristy McNichol, actress. The former child star and teen idol left the show Empty Nest due to her battle with the depression. McNichol later returned to the show for a few episodes during the series' last season.[62][63][64][65][66]
- Kate Millett, author, The Loony-Bin Trip (1990) discusses her diagnosis of bipolar disorder, describing experiences with hospitalization and her decision to discontinue lithium therapy.
- Spike Milligan, comedian and writer. "I had to write a new show every week for six months. If Hitler had done that to someone it would be called torture. I was in such a state of hypertension that I was unapproachable by human beings. I became a manic depressive."[67][68]
- Ben Moody, musician. The former guitarist from Evanescence.[69]
- John A. Mulheren, American stock and option trader and philanthropist.[70]
- Edvard Munch, artist. Rothenberg A. Bipolar illness, creativity, and treatment. Psychiatr Q. 2001 Summer;72(2):131–47.
N
- Sir Isaac Newton, pioneering scientist and mathematician.[6]
- Florence Nightingale, nurse and health campaigner. BPW "Florence heard voices and experienced a number of severe depressive episodes in her teens and early 20s - symptoms consistent with the onset of bipolar disorder", Dr. Kathy Wisner, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.[71]
O
- Sinéad O'Connor, musician. She discussed her diagnosis with Oprah Winfrey in October 2007.[72]
- Graeme Obree, Scottish racing cyclist. World hour record 1993. Individual pursuit world champion in 1993 and 1995. Cited in 2003 autobiography, "Flying Scotsman: Cycling to Triumph Through My Darkest Hours" and 2006 film.
- Ozzy Osbourne, singer. Lead singer of Black Sabbath and his self-titled band. Cited in VH1's "Heavy: The History of Metal" in 2006.
- Cheri Oteri, actress. Saturday Night Live Cast Member. Cited in Shales T.& Miller A. (2002) Live From New York, A Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live.
P
- Jane Pauley, TV presenter and journalist. The former Today and Dateline host describes being diagnosed with bipolar disorder in her autobiography "Skywriting: A Life Out of the Blue", which she wrote in 2004, as well as on her short-lived talk show.[73][74][75][76][77][78]
- Jimmy Piersall, baseball player.[6]
- Jaco Pastorius, jazz musician. "Jaco was diagnosed with this clinical bipolar condition in the fall of 1982. The events which led up to it were considered "uncontrolled and reckless" incidences."[79]
- Sylvia Plath, American poet and novelist.
- Edgar Allan Poe, poet and writer.[31]
- Emil Post, mathematician. Martin Davis, 1994, "Emil L. Post: His Life and Work" in Davis, M., ed., Solvability, Provability, Definability: The Collected Works of Emil L. Post. Birkhauser
- Charley Pride, country music artist. (autobiography) Pride: The Charley Pride Story. Publisher: Quill (May 1995). "Pride discusses business ventures that succeeded and those that failed, as well as his bouts with manic depression. He tells his story with no bitterness but lots of homespun advice and humor."
R
- Edward Renehan, author and musician, outed himself as bipolar/manic depressive in January of 2008.[80]
- Rene Rivkin, entrepreneur.[81]
- Barret Robbins, former NFL Pro Bowler.[82]
- Axl Rose, singer[83] "I went to a clinic, thinking it would help my moods. The only thing I did was take one 500-question test - ya know, filling in the little black dots. All of sudden I'm diagnosed manic-depressive."
S
- Earl Simmons otherwise known as DMX (rapper).
- Robert Schumann, composer.[31]
- Nina Simone, American singer. Interview with her daughter Simone, The Sunday Times June, 24 2007[84]
- Michael Slater, International Australian cricketer, forced to retire because of related symptoms.[85][86]
- Tony Slattery, actor and comedian.[87] "I rented a huge warehouse by the river Thames. I just stayed in there on my own, didn't open the mail or answer the phone for months and months and months. I was just in a pool of despair and mania." BBC Documentary[88]
- Sidney Sheldon, producer, writer; wrote about being a victim of bipolar disorder in his autobiography The Other Side of Me.
- Peter Steele, frontman of metalband Type o Negative [89] [90]
T
- Sara Teasdale, poet.[28]
- Steven Thomas, American entrepreneur.[91][92]
- Gene Tierney, Academy Award nominated actress, Best Actress (1945),
- Devin Townsend, musician, Strapping Young Lad, The Devin Townsend Band. He took himself off of his medication to write lyrics for Strapping Young Lad's album Alien.[93]
- Nick Traina, singer.[94], "in the last year of his life, he began telling people he was manic-depressive."
- Timothy Treadwell, American environmentalist and bear enthusiast, featured in the 2005 documentary film by Werner Herzog titled Grizzly Man.[95][96]
- Margaret Trudeau, Canadian celebrity and ex-wife of former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau (deceased). She now travels Canada and other countries speaking out against the stigmas on mental illness[97]
- Mark Twain, author.[28]
V
- Jean-Claude Van Damme, actor — Australian Woman's Day magazine — January 30, 2006
- Vincent Van Gogh, artist.[98]
- Kurt Vonnegut, author[99]
W
- Scott Weiland, musician. (Stone Temple Pilots, Velvet Revolver) "I suffer from manic-depressive disorder, and I've chosen not to take medication for it." Quotation from Weiland during an interview.[100]
- Pete Wentz, bassist for Fall Out Boy.[101]
- Mark Whitacre, business executive described in the true story movie, The Informant[102]
- Brian Wilson, musician. (The Beach Boys)[103]
- Virginia Woolf, poet and novelist.[31][104]
Y
- Thom Yorke, musician[105]
I need to get a copy of Terry Bradshaw's special on depression that was screened on 60 minutes. Will someone help me get a copy??
Posted by: Mike Tesar | Saturday, 09 August 2008 at 01:16 AM