Devin Jacobs
Fame, fortune, and adoring fans—celebrities seem to have it all. Yet, beneath the glitz and glamor, many stars face their battles with mental health. Today, more than ever, these icons are opening up about their struggles, shedding light on the importance of understanding and support. Here are the stories of ten celebrities who have courageously shared their journeys with mental illness, breaking down barriers and inspiring others along the way.
Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato has been transparent about her mental health battles, addressing issues like substance abuse, eating disorders, and depression. In 2011, she disclosed her bipolar disorder diagnosis, a revelation that brought her a sense of relief. Speaking at the Hollywood & Mind Summit, Lovato emphasized her desire to aid others by sharing her journey. Experts have praised her openness to empowering celebrities and the wider community to discuss mental health without stigma.
Steve Young
From childhood into his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers, Steve Young battled severe separation anxiety. Despite academic and athletic success, he struggled with fear of separation from his parents, often having his mother accompany him to school. This anxiety persisted into his 30s, causing sleepless nights before games. Seeking help, he was diagnosed with severe separation anxiety and has since openly shared his journey to break the taboo around mental health discussions.
Donny Osmond
Beginning in his youth, Donny Osmond encountered anxiety as his career with the Osmonds gained momentum. Even after achieving success with hits like “Soldier of Love” and performances in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” the pressure to maintain perfection exacerbated his anxiety. Seeking support from psychiatrists and his wife, Debbie, Osmond now prioritizes a balanced life, valuing family time as a dedicated husband and grandfather.
Michael Phelps
Michael Phelps has been candid about his struggles with depression, reflecting on several significant episodes, including a severe spell in 2014 when he contemplated suicide. Following a second DUI arrest that led to a six-month suspension from USA Swimming, Phelps retreated for four days, grappling with his lowest point. With gratitude, Phelps acknowledges the role his family and friends played in supporting him during these challenging times.
Dan Reynolds
The lead singer of Imagine Dragons, Dan Reynolds, addresses anxiety and depression openly both on social media and during his band’s tours. During one of his tours, Reynolds ensured that each show featured a stripped-down rendition of their song “Demons,” using the opportunity to discuss mental health and the benefits of therapy. He advocates for fellow celebrities to use their platforms to help destigmatize these issues.
Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel Radcliffe revealed in a 2012 interview with The Sun that he has struggled with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) since he was five years old. He described compulsive behaviors like repeating his own words under his breath and taking several minutes to turn off a light. With the help of therapy, Radcliffe has learned to manage his OCD effectively, although he acknowledges the importance of consistent therapy sessions in keeping his condition under control.
Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga is known for her fierce advocacy on various topics, including mental health issues. During Oprah’s 2020 Vision tour, Gaga candidly discussed her experiences with PTSD and fibromyalgia, attributing her physical pain to unprocessed trauma from a past assault. She highlighted the transformative role of mental health medication in managing her symptoms, underscoring the importance of therapy and professional support in her journey towards healing.
Adele
Known for her private nature, Adele has still been vocal about her battles with depression, including postpartum depression, after the birth of her child in 2012. In a 2016 interview, she spoke openly about feeling inadequate as a new mother. Adele’s story sheds light on the commonality and different forms of postpartum depression, emphasizing that mental health problems can affect anyone.
Mayim Bialik
With the onset of the pandemic, many, including Jeopardy! Host and actress Mayim Bialik faced heightened anxiety and fear of the unknown. To address these challenges, Bialik and her partner Jonathan Cohen launched the podcast “Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown.” Drawing from her years of therapy, Bialik seeks to demystify mental health and support those struggling with issues like sleep problems and anxiety, particularly for those new to therapy.
Janet Jackson
In her thirties, Janet Jackson faced a challenging period of depression. She described these years as intense, attributing her feelings to childhood inferiority, high standards, and societal issues like racism and sexism. Jackson emphasized that depression is a tenacious and scary condition, but she found her way through it.
Pete Davidson
For Pete Davidson, mental illness is a serious matter. In 2016, intense emotions and severe depression led him to seek help in rehab, initially resulting in a bipolar disorder diagnosis. However, medications and quitting marijuana didn’t alleviate his symptoms. In 2017, at age 23, Davidson’s therapist diagnosed him with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Unlike bipolar disorder, BPD involves fear of abandonment, lack of confidence, and unstable personal relationships. Davidson has actively spoken out about the importance of therapy and the effect it has had on his life.
Leonardo Dicaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio has lived with OCD for many years, experiencing repeating compulsions both in his adult life and childhood. These compulsions involve repeating actions to cope with obsessive thoughts. Whether it’s a specific number of repetitions or continuing until it “feels right,” DiCaprio’s struggle with OCD sheds light on the challenges of managing this condition.
Amanda Seyfried
Amanda Seyfried’s OCD influenced her decision not to include a stove in the guest house at her New York estate. She worries about the risk of fire from leaving the stove or oven on, which she admits is a controlling aspect of her condition. Seyfried manages her OCD with the antidepressant Lexapro, which she’s been taking since she was 19. She plans to continue using it, explaining, “I’m on the lowest dose. I don’t see the point of getting off of it.”
Emma Stone
Facing anxiety and panic attacks since childhood, Emma Stone had her first panic attack at age 7, convinced her friend’s house was on fire. This fear led to avoidance behaviors and frequent calls to her mom from the nurse’s office in second grade. Diagnosed with generalized anxiety and panic disorder, she found solace in acting and improv, using her intense emotions to fuel her performances and manage her anxiety.
Gillian Anderson
Gillian Anderson, known for her role as FBI Special Agent Dana Scully in “The X-Files,” faced severe depression and perimenopause almost a decade ago. Feeling her life untangled, she suspected hormonal changes. Anderson consulted various doctors, finding solace in a menopause specialist who validated her experience. She highlighted the lack of clear information about perimenopause’s impact on mental health, including anxiety, depression, and mood swings.
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