Many famous personalities in history- be it scientists, artists or writers- have battled mental health issues in addition to their great works. Such narratives range from that of Vincent van Gogh to modern artists, and they make it clear that no one is immune to struggles, even those who succeed.
This article discusses the stories of both historical and contemporary figures, as well as the importance of breaking the silence around mental health and the power in asking for help.
Abraham Lincoln- Depression
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States who led the country through the Civil War. He issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 which was a crucial step in abolition of Slavery in the United States.
It is said that Abraham Lincoln used to suffer from Depression throughout his life. Many of his friends as well as his family members used to describe him as 'melancholic'. He himself spoke about feeling hopeless and described himself as "the most miserable man living" in one of his letters. He was known for having sudden mood swings and a tendency to isolate himself.
While mental health was not so well understood during Lincoln's time, many contemporary psychologists believe that Lincoln was suffering from what is known today as Clinical Depression.
Lady Gaga- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, also known as Lady Gaga, is an American Singer, Songwriter and Actress. She released her debut album, The Fame, in 2008 and quickly gained fame for her unique blend of pop, electronic, and rock music, as well as for her elaborate costumes and performances. Apart from music, Lady Gaga is also a very versatile actress starring in movies like A Star is Born, alongside Bradley Cooper, for which she also earned an Academy Award Nomination for Best Actress.
In 2012, she founded a non-profit Organization known as 'Born This Way Foundation' which focuses on anti-bullying, mental health and youth empowerment.
In 2016, during an interview with 'today' as part of her visit to an LGBTQ+ Youth Center, she publicly opened up about suffering from PTSD due to being sexually assaulted as a teenager. She openly discussed her experiences to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. She also wrote an open letter on her foundation website describing her struggle with the chronic pain associated with her mental health and also focused on the importance of therapy and support systems. Her advocacy work continues through her speeches, interviews and collaborations with mental health organizations.
Simon Biles- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Simon Biles is an American Artistic Gymnast. She is the most decorated gymnast in history with 30 World Championship medals and 11 Olympic medals. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, she was part of the US Womens' Gymnastic team that won the gold medal as well as won the gold medal in individual all-around event. She also won a gold medal in the vault event and won a silver medal in the floor exercise event.
In 2016, The World Anti-Doping Agency website was hacked and Simon Biles' medical records were leaked showing that she was prescribed methylphenidate (commonly known as Ritalin) for ADHD. Therefore, she revealed her condition not by choice but in response to this major invasion of privacy. She took to social media to confirm her diagnosis and tweeted, "Having ADHD, and taking medicine for it, is nothing to be ashamed of."
Sports like gymnastics require focus, discipline and control. But ADHD has symptoms like hyperactivity and impulsivity which makes it difficult to engage in sports like gymnastics which requires precision and execution. Despite these challenges, Biles has managed to maintain the intense focus required for the sport through medication and therapy.
In 2021, she also withdrew from several events in the Tokyo Olympics citing that she was dealing with 'twisties' and due to her mental health concerns. Twisties is a phenomenon in which gymnasts lose their awareness mid-air. This decision showed that mental health requires ongoing attention and that even the strongest athletes need a break to protect their well-being.
Simon Biles has helped break down stereotypes and has shown that being a world-class athlete and having a mental health condition are not mutually exclusive.
Elon Musk- Asperger's Syndrome
Known for his visionary goals and relentless ambition, Elon Musk has become synonymous with the future. However, his extraordinary success is intertwined with a deeply personal journey of dealing with the complexities of Asperger's Syndrome.
In May 2021, while hosting the Saturday Night Live, Elon Musk publicly disclosed that he was suffering from Asperger's Syndrome, a condition that falls within the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Asperger's Syndrome often manifests in the form of repetitive behaviours, focused interests and challenges in social communication. Individuals suffering from Asperger's often excel in pattern recognition and analytical thinking, which helps them to succeed in fields like technology and engineering.
Musk has opened up in his interviews that his unique way of thinking due to ASD has helped him to excel in fields like space exploration and artificial intelligence by providing him a fresh perspective and persistent focus on his work. However, he has also shared that it is difficult for him to engage in social interactions which is a common challenge for people suffering from ASD.
By opening up about his experiences, he has helped to bring visibility to neurodiversity and has shown that autism can also be a part of a high achieving individual's journey.
Sia- Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD)
Sia Kate Isobelle Furler is an Australian Singer, Songwriter and Record Producer. She is known for her powerful vocals and deeply emotional music. She rose to international fame in early 2010s with hits like Cheap thrills, Chandelier and Elastic heart.
Her music often deals with topics of survival and resilience drawing from her own experiences dealing with addiction and Complex PTSD.
Unlike standard PTSD, Complex PTSD often results from prolonged and repeated trauma- like abuse or neglect during childhood. Sia has had experiences of childhood trauma and this combined with the pressure of fame led to the development of Complex PTSD in her.
Sia has said that creating music provides her a safe outlet to channel her pain and intense emotions which is often visible through her songs. For example, one of her most iconic songs, Chandelier delves into her experiences with alcohol addiction and other self destructive methods that she used to cope.
Sia's decision to hide her face and use wigs helped her to express herself freely without feeling fully exposed to public judgement and media scrutiny. This is crucial for someone who is dealing with C-PTSD as managing the triggers is an important aspect of the healing process.
She has also been open about her struggles with substance abuse which she used as a method to cope with the pain from her trauma. At one point her struggle with alcohol and drug abuse reached a level that threatened her life, leading her to seek professional help and eventually embrace sobriety.
Pete Davidson- Borderline Personality Disorder
Pete Davidson is an American comedian, actor and writer known for his stand-up comedy and as a former cast member of Saturday Night Live (SNL). Davidson has a unique comedy style, often marked by self-deprecating humour and an unfiltered approach to discussing personal topics.
Pete Davidson was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) in 2017. BPD is a mental health condition marked by intense emotions, difficulty in managing relationships and a pervasive fear of being abandoned.
When he was only 7 years old he lost his father, who was a firefighter in the 9/11 attacks. Such an early loss can be a significant trigger for someone who is predisposed to BPD, as the condition is often linked to early trauma that may impact emotional development. Before his diagnosis in 2017, he had already been treated for depression and other mental health issues but for Davidson, receiving a formal diagnosis in 2017 provided him with a sense of clarity and relief. After his diagnosis, he started Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) which is specially designed for individuals suffering from BPD.
His profession as a comedian has helped him take a unique approach for mental health advocacy. He often uses humour to describe his journey by integrating jokes about his mental health into his stand-up routines. However, living with BPD in the public eye is quite difficult. Davidson has also spoken about how social media and tabloid coverage has exacerbated his struggles, sometimes intensifying his feelings of shame or vulnerability.
Vincent Van Gogh- Bipolar Disorder
Vincent Van Gogh was a Dutch post-impressionist painter whose work had a great impact on 20th century art. Despite experiencing only limited commercial success during his lifetime, he produced over 2000 artworks, including 860 oil paintings, many of which are now considered to be masterpieces.
Throughout his life, Vincent Van Gogh displayed signs of Bipolar Disorder including periods of intense creativity followed by depressive periods. During periods of mania, he could paint a number of canvases with vibrant colours and frenetic energy. Some of his most famous works like Starry Night and Sunflowers were created during such periods of creativity.
However, such manic periods were often alternated by periods of crushing lows during which he felt worthless and isolated. In his letters to his brother, Theo, he often wrote about his mood swings and thoughts of self-harm.
One of the most famous episodes of his life was when in a fit of intense emotions, he threatened his fellow artist, Paul Gauguin with whom he had a strained relationship, with a razor before cutting off a part of his own ear, an act which has been greatly speculated upon and analyzed as a possible result of manic episode.
After this incident, he was hospitalized multiple times and eventually admitted himself to an asylum.
During the final years of his life, Van Gogh moved to Auvers-sur-Oise, near Paris, where his mental health continued to deteriorate. In 1890, Van Gogh died from a gunshot wound, widely believed to be a suicide.
Charles Darwin- Panic Disorder
Charles Darwin was an English naturalist, geologist and biologist, who is known for his contributions to the understanding of evolution and natural selection. His proposition that all species of life have descended from a common ancestor is now generally accepted and considered a fundamental scientific concept.
From a young age, Darwin experienced the psychological and physiological symptoms of Panic Disorder. After his voyage in HMS Beagle in the 1830s, he started suffering from various health issues, including digestive problems, fatigue and anxiety. These symptoms intensified over the years into feelings of extreme anxiety and palpitations, which are considered to be the hallmark of Panic Disorder.
His severe anxiety prevented him from attending social gatherings or engaging in public speaking. Due to these challenges, he mostly conducted his research in the comforts of his home, where he felt more safer and more in control. He took long walks to manage his symptoms which provided him with a sense of calm and clarity.
During Darwin's time there was not much support for mental health issues, but Darwin was introspective about his condition and documented his own feelings and experiences which provides an insight into how he coped with his panic disorder.
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