Famous People With Depression
The media loves to make a big deal out of celebrities who seem to have “gone crazy” or “had a breakdown.” Folks don’t get as much attention if they quietly and bravely deal with depression and continue with their careers, but lots of people do. Here are a few:
Abraham Lincoln battled depression at a time when it was little understood and there were no treatments. He described his illness as “the shadow of madness.” It can’t have been easy, but he still had a successful career in politics and is remembered as the “Great Emancipator” after declaring an end to slavery and leading the Union to victory in the Civil War.
Mike Wallace is best known for being a journalist on 60 Minutes for more than 38 years. He was diagnosed with depression in 1984. His treatment included both psychotherapy and medication. He is now over 80, retired from journalism, and does Public Service Announcements to raise awareness about depression and the availability of help for those who have it.
Jim Carrey is a comedian and actor who has starred in the Ace Ventura movies, The Truman Show, Bruce Almighty and many, many others. He battled depression in mid-career and was treated with medication. He is now both medication and depression free.
Brooke Shields is a successful model and actress. After the birth of her first child, she suffered from severe post-partum depression, which was successfully treated with medication. Shields decided to go public with her struggles to help other women in the same situation.
J.K. Rowling went through many difficult times in her life. She was a struggling single mother with little money. She contemplated killing herself. Rowling sought help from a therapist, recovered, and went on to become the best-selling author of the Harry Potter series.
Rosie O’Donnell uses a variety of techniques to manage her mood every day. This includes regular yoga, anti-depressants, and a technique called “inversion therapy” in which she hangs upside down for several minutes every morning. She is a successful comedienne and talk show host.
Billy Joel is one of the most successful entertainers of the 1970s, 80s and 90s. But if you’ve ever heard his song Tomorrow is Today you might not be surprised to hear that he struggled with depression. That song was written after he had checked himself into the hospital following a suicide attempt. After his treatment, he took the words from his suicide note and set them to music.
Buzz Aldrin was the second man to set foot on the moon. After his return, he suffered from depression. He was treated with therapy and medication, both in and out of the hospital. He went on to write a book about his experience in hopes of helping others with their depression.
Beyonce Knowles became very depressed around the time her group, “Destiny’s Child” broke up. For two years she had trouble eating and stayed in her room much of the time. She recovered with the support of her mother, and went on to have a fabulously successful solo career.
Hugh Laurie first realized he was depressed in 1996. He continues to receive psychotherapy to this day to help him manage his mood. You most likely know him as Dr. Gregory House on the hit TV Show House, M.D.
Mark Twain was one of America’s most revered authors and humorists. Towards the end of his life, a series of deaths of people close to him left him deeply depressed. He was able to keep his sense of humor, and had recovered by the time of his death.
James Taylor is famous for hit songs like Fire and Rain and You’ve Got a Friend. Before he became a successful singer songwriter, however, he was so depressed he could barely communicate. He spent more than nine months in a psychiatric hospital, and actually graduated from a high school in the hospital. He was turned down for the draft because of his illness. He recovered and credits his treatment with saving his life.