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10 famous people who suffered from depression
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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Depression is a serious psychological disorder that can ambush any person regardless of their social status and financial well-being. Today we will tell you about famous people who overcame depression and bipolar disorder.
Winston Churchill
The famous British Prime Minister suffered from severe depression all his life. He even gave it a nickname – “black dog”, which indicates that depression was his constant companion throughout his life. Once Churchill shared his thoughts with a doctor and said that he did not like to stand at the side of a ship and look at the sea depths, because one movement can decide everything.
Vincent Van Gogh
The famous artist created between attacks of bipolar affective psychosis. However, some of his biographers claim that Van Gogh painted his best works during manic attacks. His condition was aggravated by a dissolute lifestyle and love for absinthe. This led the great artist to a state of severe depression and suicide.
J.K. Rowling
Despite a successful career and good earnings, Joanne Rouling once thought about ending her life. She reached this state after breaking up with her first husband. The only thing that kept her from this step was her daughter, whom the woman had yet to raise. She turned to a psychotherapist, who helped her get rid of her dark thoughts. After depression began to leave Joanne, she began writing the first book about Harry Potter.
Hugh Laurie
The famous Dr. House admitted that he suffered from depression during his teenage years, but he constantly fought it, not allowing it to consume him, and did not even show that something was tormenting him. After his marriage, the actor nevertheless turned to a psychotherapist and says that this is the right decision, to ask for help from a professional, because not only the patient suffers, but also his loved ones.
Jim Carrey
We are used to seeing him always smiling, with a set of funny grimaces and jokes. However, this ostentatious clowning simply covered up his real state of prolonged melancholy. After filming, where he had to play funny roles, he came home and took antidepressants. But soon Jim visited a doctor and decided that it was better to get rid of the problem than just eat it with pills.
Princess Diana
Few people knew that Princess Diana's life was far from a fairy tale. Many saw her only as a royal person. Whose wishes were fulfilled at the behest of a magic wand. In reality, Diana was a lonely person and suffered from misunderstanding and depression. Once, when she was pregnant with her first child, she even threw herself down the stairs to attract Charles' attention.
Gwyneth Paltrow
After the birth of her second child, Gwyneth admitted that she suffered from postpartum depression. She said that during this period she could not establish contact with the newborn and did not experience maternal instinct. Postpartum depression is a very dangerous period in a woman's life, this condition can affect her mental health.
Winona Ryder
After breaking up with Johnny Depp, Winona began to abuse alcohol and was constantly haunted by a feeling of fear and anxiety. Winona said that there are good and bad days, and depression turns the variety of days into a continuous black streak. The actress decided to seek help after she fell asleep with a lit cigarette.
Owen Wilson
The cheerful and energetic actor Owen Wilson also had dark days. In 2007, Wilson attempted suicide in his California home. Some friends were shocked, and those who knew better said that Owen had decided to fight his demons, including drug addiction.
Heath Ledger
The famous actor died at the height of his fame in 2008. He had no close friends or family around him. All that surrounded him was a pile of medications, which he overdosed on. As journalists wrote, the actor suffered from insomnia, which is why he took a huge dose of sedatives, painkillers, and sleeping pills. After his death, a reliable source revealed that Ledger had been suffering from depression after breaking up with Michelle Williams.