10 Famous People with Bipolar Disorder

Relationship between IQ and Bipolar Disorders. Image by Carina Cunha-Wikimedia

10 Famous People with Bipolar Disorder

Thanks to all the attention that movies have given it, many people have now heard of the word Bipolar. This disorder is characterized by extreme mood swings which range from depression at the lowest and maniac at the highest. There is a whole range of symptoms such that many patients may have varying experiences. The two types of the disorder are Bipolar I and Bipolar II. Bipolar I is defined by severe manic episodes nearly every day for a weak and may need hospitalization. It may also be accompanied by depression that could last for about two weeks. Bipolar II is less extreme. It is defined by occurring depression and hypomania.

The cause of this disorder is unknown but a combination of genetics; environment and altered brain structure and chemistry are suspected to play a role. Treatment is lifelong and management is done through medication and psychotherapy. Studies have shown that one in 100 people in the world suffers from this condition women and men alike. It commonly characterizes in the teenage years and seldom develops after 40. This prevalence may explain why many celebrities have been diagnosed with it. Many take inspiration from their stories and work tirelessly to increase access to indispensable mental health resources and programs. They try to lift the stigma that comes with it. They are a testament that people with the disorder can live a long, healthy, and successful life as long as they stay on medication, seek therapy, and do not ignore the signs.

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1. Chris Brown

Image by Casey Budd from Pixabay

He is a singer, songwriter, and actor. However, ever since he assaulted Rihanna in 2009, he has been involved in numerous violent situations and has even ended up in jail. His condition was made public in court when it was argued that the assault on Rihanna was attributed to Brown’s “mood swings” to PTSD and bipolar disorder. Recently, in 2020 he was sued for allegedly drugging and raping a woman on a yacht. He has since denied this claim. Despite all these, he is unmistakably the King of R & B! His melodic voice is known all over the world and has remained one of the most successful singers of his time.

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2. Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey. Image by Mcla_re03-Wikimedia

She is a singer, songwriter, and producer. She has lived with bipolar II for nearly 20 years. She was first diagnosed after a mental and physical breakdown back in 2001. Shocked and dismayed by the diagnosis she first kept it to herself until she was urged by a friend to seek treatment and share her story. She has since then been very open and continues to go to therapy and stay on medication. This “Songbird Supreme” and “Queen of Christmas”, attributes her good health to staying around positive people more so her twins who she co-parents with Nick Cannon, and doing what she most loves which is music.

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3. Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato. Photo by Ashton Noe-Wikimedia

This singer, songwriter, and actress came into prominence as a Disney star. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2011 after struggling for years with bulimia, cutting, and drug addiction. She shared her diagnosis in a documentary about Lovato entitled Stay Strong and the singer of hit songs like Heart Attack and Skyscraper became a mental health advocate which almost killed her. A YouTube docuseries Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil, sheds more light on being the face of bipolar. This role was placed on her shoulders and that burden led to her relapse and a fatal overdose. Recently in 2022, the 29-year-old came out of rehab as optimistic as ever with the support of her family and friends.

4. Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez. Photo by Joella Marano-Wikimedia

This singer, actress, and film producer was also a Disney star. In 2016, the pop star took a break to deal with anxiety, panic attacks, and depression stemming from her battle with lupus. Four years later, she revealed she’d been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. In 2018, her new Apple TV+ documentary, Selena Gomez: My Mind and Me, revealed that she suffered from psychosis and took us on a raw 6-year journey of her experiences. Recently in November 2022, the 30-year-old was honored by the Boston-based Ruderman Family Foundation for her work as a mental health advocate.

5. Kanye West

Kanye West. Image by David Shankbone-Wimedia

Ye is a rapper, songwriter, record producer, and fashion designer. He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after being hospitalized for a psychiatric emergency in 2016. He has been open about his experiences often on Twitter or through his performances. In a recent interview with David Letterman, spoke candidly about the disorder which he called his ‘Superpower’ in his Ye album. He acknowledged that medication is important and skipping it can cause one to ramp up and end up in the hospital. Recently, after making antisemitic remarks he caused companies that he was affiliated with, including Adidas and Balenciaga, to end their relationships with him, bringing him down from Forbes Billionaires List.  However, the increased scrutiny regarding Ye’s mental health has only revealed the stigmatization of the mentally ill and has sprouted talks on how best to support mental illness, and how to relate to the dreams, aspirations, and desires of those who are suffering.

6. Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. Photo by
Gage Skidmore-Wikimedia

He is an actor and producer. He has evolved to be one successful person despite a period when he struggled with substance abuse and went into legal trouble. He has never publicly owned to the fact that he has bipolar though his stepmother revealed that he was diagnosed years ago and that could explain the struggle with alcohol. In a recent show, My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman, he shared that substance abuse began at 8 years! This then advanced to alcohol, cocaine, and heroin. He later went to rehab and prison after violating a probation order. Now the Iron Man Superhero is proudly safe and sober.

7. Russell Brand

Rusell Brand. Image by Raph_PH-Wikimedia

He is an award-winning comedian, actor, author, public thought leader, and passionate activist for mental health and drug rehabilitation. He was diagnosed with ADHD but has been suspected to have bipolar since a young age. He struggled with depression, bulimia and cutting, substance abuse, and sex addiction. He has been very open about his experiences and uses various platforms to create awareness. He has released an audiobook, a YouTube channel, and a podcast, Under The Skin, where he interviews various people on how to live life with purpose, embodying happiness and wellness.

8. Jean-Van Damme

Actor Jean-Claude Van Damme. Image by Robbin Cresswell-Wikimedia

He is a Belgian actor, martial artist, filmmaker, and fight choreographer who graced our childhood! When his career was at the climax it was accompanied by excessive partying, a string of failed marriages, and a cocaine addiction. It was so bad that he checked himself in a clinic in 1996. Two years later he was diagnosed with bipolar. With medication, things started becoming better and he even reconnected with an ex-wife, Gladys Portugues, and has remained happily married since. He still struggles but relies on training which helps him cope with his symptoms.

9. Ted Turney

This media mogul founded both Turner Broadcasting and CNN. This billionaire is one of the most brilliant entrepreneurs and businessmen of the 20^th century. He has spent most of his life battling with bipolar and has struggled with periods of depression and suicidal thoughts; his father struggled with the same disorder and committed suicide. He also had Lewy body dementia, some form of dementia. This disorder has not hindered his success, instead, he has gone to expand his business to the empire that it is now.

10. Linda Hamilton

Linda Hamilton. Photo by Tabercil-Wikimedia

She is a talented actress who is best known for her role as Sarah Connor in the Terminator film series. Her bipolar battle has seen her also struggle with abuse of drugs and alcohol, and even caused several marriages to fall. She battled the disorder for 20 years ( which he refers to as lost years) without being diagnosed, until she did in her 40s. The now 66 years old, speaks openly about her journey and knows the importance of advocating for the mentally ill.