You may be surprised to learn of the many famous people who once lived with bipolar disorder. Notable among them are Winston Churchill, Ernest Hemmingway, Vincent Van Gogh, Vivian Leigh, and Kurt Cobain, among many others. The list of celebrities with bipolar disorder continues to grow as these famous figures reveal their struggle with this mental health challenge. Read on to learn more about the well-known people who are living with bipolar disorder.
What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mental health disorder that features disruptive mood states and behaviors. The disorder impacts males and females in equal numbers and tends to emerge during the teen or young adult years. The National Institute on Mental Health reports that bipolar affects about 2.8% of American adults each year.
Bipolar disorder is a form of mental illness that features extreme shifts between manic and depressive mood states. These mood states may come and go frequently, or may persist for long durations.
Manic episodes feature:
- Euphoric mood
- Abundance of energy
- Poor judgment
- Hyperactivity
- Insomnia
- Rapid speech
- Irritability
- Feeling jumpy or on edge
- Racing thoughts
- Hypersexuality
- Engage in high-risk or impulsive behaviors
- Take on multiple tasks at once
- Aggression
Depressive episodes feature:
- Feeling sad and hopeless
- Very low energy
- Trouble focusing
- Decreased activity level
- Disordered eating
- Excessive worry
- Unable to feel joy or pleasure
- Changes in sleep habits
- Withdraw socially
- Excessive fatigue
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Bipolar manifests in various ways, each type having unique features. The four types of bipolar include:
- Bipolar I Disorder
- Bipolar II Disorder
- Cyclothymic Disorder
- Otherwise Unspecified Bipolar
12 Famous Celebrities with Bipolar Disorder
In recent years, a host of celebrities have revealed their personal battles with this complex and mysterious mental health disorder. By opening up about life with bipolar and the treatments that have helped them, they instill hope in others. Included in this list of 12 celebrities with bipolar disorder are:
- Demi Lovato. At age twenty-two, the singer was diagnosed with bipolar disorder while receiving treatment for addiction, self-harm, and bulimia. She has used her platform to speak out about mental health, and took part in an awareness campaign in 2015.
- Mariah Carey. Back in 2018, the iconic singer opened up about her battle with bipolar disorder. She was initially diagnosed with the disorder in 2001 after being hospitalized for a mental breakdown. Ms. Carey has managed the bipolar for decades now and continues making beautiful music.
- Russell Brand. The popular comedian and podcaster has struggled with bipolar disorder, depression, ADHD, eating disorders, and addiction. He has been open about these struggles in order to increase awareness and reduce stigma.
- Selena Gomez. The young singer revealed her bipolar disorder diagnosis in 2020 after years of struggling with anxiety and depression. She has founded a company called Wondermind to provide a source of support, hope, and guidance for others who suffer from mental illness.
- Mariette Hartley. The Emmy-award winning actress was first treated for depression, but her mood swings led to a subsequent bipolar diagnosis. Though a difficult decision, she decided to break the silence about her bipolar diagnosis in hopes of educating others.
- Ted Turner. The billionaire founder of Turner Broadcasting Network and CNN struggled with bipolar disorder for much of his life. Turner states that the mood stabilizer lithium has helped him manage the symptoms.
- Linda Hamilton. The actress known mostly for the “Terminator” movies was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in the 90’s after suffering for twenty years. A combination of therapy and medication helped to manage the illness.
- Mel Gibson. The famous actor and producer revealed his bipolar disorder in the 2008 documentary, “Acting Class of 1977.” As is very common in people with bipolar, Gibson also struggled with substance use disorder.
- Stephen Fry. This British celebrity, who is a radio personality, playwright, and novelist, was diagnosed with bipolar twenty years ago. His documentary and memoir have helped others gain a deeper understanding of what it’s like to live with bipolar disorder.
- Rene Russo. The 80’s top model kept her bipolar a secret for decades until finally discussing it openly in 2014. She described how debilitating bipolar had been prior to getting treatment, to the point that she was bedridden.
- Kanye West. The rapper now known as “Ye” was diagnosed with bipolar back in 2016 after experiencing many very public manic episodes. He has opted to use alternative treatment methods, although recognizes that others may benefit from traditional treatment.
- David Feherty. This sports broadcaster and former golf pro was officially diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2011. Feherty has struggled with the dual diagnosis of bipolar disorder and alcoholism, but has now been sober for years.
Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
You don’t have to be a celebrity to obtain effective treatment for bipolar disorder. Here are some of the treatment elements involved in stabilizing and managing bipolar:
- Medication. To address the features of each type of bipolar disorder, there are certain drugs available that can be helpful for managing the symptoms.
- Psychotherapy. Both individual and group therapy sessions provide an outlet to discuss the effects of bipolar and learn to manage symptoms. Therapy offers methods to help improve relationships, which often suffer due to the disorder.
- Family therapy. Bipolar disorder can disrupt the family, so family sessions allow members to learn new ways to manage the adverse effects. Family members practice problem-solving skills and learn techniques to manage anger and conflict.
- Stress-management. Stress is a key trigger for someone with bipolar disorder, but learning holistic methods can help reduce stress. These may include yoga, focused breathing, mindfulness, and guided imagery.
- Lifestyle changes. You’ll learn how to improve quality of life through key lifestyle changes. These include getting regular exercise, getting better sleep, and improving nutrition.
The Treatment Specialist Provides Guidance and Information About Bipolar Disorder
The Treatment Specialist is an online resource for informative articles on mental health conditions and treatment options for adults, teens, and families. Celebrities with bipolar disorder have become a source of inspiration and support for others. If you are struggling with bipolar disorder, please reach out to our team for guidance today at Request a Call.
