Other Famous People and Celebrities With Bipolar Disorder Francis Ford Coppola Ray Davies of The Kinks Richard Dreyfuss Patrick J. Kennedy Rene Russo Charlie Sheen Ben Stiller Chris Brown Aaron Carter It's important to dispel the stigma and lack of knowledge surrounding bipolar disorder so that more people can get the help they need. Irish singer Sinead O'Connor's rendition of "Nothing Compares 2 U" topped charts from Europe to Australia, and earned O'Connor multiple Grammy Award nominations. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Inside Bipolar Podcast: Stopping Mania Before It Starts. Many high-profile, successful people have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, once known as manic depression. Bipolar disorder (formerly called manic-depressive illness or manic depression) is a mental illness that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration. 10 Famous People With Bipolar Disorder | Psych Central Unfortunately, bipolar disorder has contributed to the deaths of several famous people including Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse and Virginia Woolf. The television journalist Jane Pauley made her network debut on NBC's Today show at age 25. People suffer extreme mood swings. After a lifetime of mental health issues, Oscar-winning actress and 1960s pop culture icon Patty Duke was officially diagnosed with manic depression in 1982. 10. Virginia Woolf If someone has a sprained ankle, youre not going to push on him more. Famous People With Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depressive Disorder) The following people are thought to have suffered from bipolar disorder: Abraham Lincoln (leader) Agatha Christie (writer) Buzz Aldrin (other) Carrie Fisher (actor) Gordon Sumner (Sting) (musician) Heinz Prechter (entrepreneur) Jane Pauley (other) Jim Carey (actor) ", The Independent: "Being Ernest: John Walsh unravels the mystery behind Hemingway's suicide. To help you understand the complexities of this disorder, here are 10 famous people with bipolar disorder as well as some of the things we can learn from their stories: 1. In her own time, however, psychiatry had little to offer her.". He was eventually diagnosed with rapid-cycling bipolar disorder after hitting bottom. "Through actual therapy and having kids it's way more under control and something I can see when I'm on the roller coaster and control it more. "In my delusional thinking, I thought my family was involved in ISIS, and that millions of dollars had been taken from me to support terrorism," he told People. Mel Gibson is an actor, director, and producer, best known for his action hero roles in movies such as Braveheart and The Patriot.. Good, Matthew: Matthew's Good gospel", "Ben Bradlee, legendary Washington Post editor, dies at 93", "With therapy, grit, ex-Cowboy Haley tackles bipolar disorder", "The Specials back on stage after 30 years", "Halsey Opens Up About Being a Reluctant Role Model", "Charles Hamilton Opens Up About Bipolar Diagnosis", "Linda Hamilton says she has bipolar disorder", "Suzy Favor Hamilton: Olympic athlete to Las Vegas escort", "On the Case at Mount Sinai, It's Dr. Data", "Anthony John Hardy, England's famous Camden Ripper", "Beth Hart on how bipolar disorder manifests itself in the process of songwriting", "Kayfabe, Lies and Alibis: Diana (Hart) Smith Shoot Interview", "Mariette Hartley triumphs over bipolar disorder", "Being Ernest: John Walsh unravels the mystery behind Hemingway's suicide", "Hemingway family mental illness explored in new film", "Kristin Hersh: 'I let bipolar disorder colour my early songs', "The Life and Work of Artist Derek Hess Examined Through New Film", "Disgraced NASCAR driver Hmiel had turned his life around", "Cat Hulbert: How I Got Rich Beating Men at Their Own Game", "Seeing Stars: Meg Hutchinson & Bipolar Disorder", "Jesse Jackson Jr.'s Bipolar 2: A Diagnosis Muddled by the Market", "Jill Janus, lead singer of Huntress, found dead aged 43", "Adam Jasinski sentenced to four years in jail", "Eddie Johnson Works at Coping With Manic-Depressive Disorder", "Bellevue family's battle with bipolar disease leads to 'Perfect Chaos' | Bellevue mother, daughter write book to give voice to those with mental illness", "His life is troubling, his fame disturbing", "U.K. Singer-Songwriter Rumer on Battling Depression & Bipolar 2 to Create 'Into Colour', "Monet, Khalo and van Gogh, Their Art and Mental Illness", "Werken met een Bipolaire stoornis Isa Hoes over haar leven met Antonie Kamerling", "Openly Gay Former Wrestler Dies at 40 in Apparent Suicide", "Patrick Kennedy stands up again to talk about his lonely illness", "28 June 2001 Letter to A&E from Margot Kidder Concerning her biography", "Otto Klemperer Behind every great conductor", "Cssia Kiss: 'O Espiritismo me faz feliz, me tranquiliza', "7.30 Report 05/01/2006: Rogers death highlights depression stigma", "Lesbian Macklemore Collaborator on 'Same Love' is Poised for the Big Time", "Preview: Debra LaFave: 'I crossed the line', "A public lecture by Matilde Marcolli mood Disorder Andrew Lange", "AJ Mendez Brooks opens up on her suicide attempt and helping others with mental illness", Assassinating the Reader:A Conversation with Yoon Ha Lee, "Jenifer Lewis's Battle with Bipolar Disorder", "chef Bernard Louiso suicide bipolar disorder", "la-verite-sur-le-suicide-du-chef-bernard-loiseau_", "After death of Canto-pop star Ellen Joyce Loo, Hongkonger with bipolar disorder speaks up about mental illness to raise awareness", "Demi Lovato Speaks Up About Living With Bipolar Disorder", "Shameless star Tina Malone drops weight and her man", "We've got it all except Davina's gleeful frenzy", "Lighting a Spark to Heal Trauma: An Interview with Jesse Zook Mann", "Manziel says he's bipolar, trying for comeback", "Jessica Marais reveals bipolar disorder struggle to Australian Women's Weekly", "Democrat Karen McCarthy of Missouri dies at 63; congresswoman opposed Iraq war, was target of ethics probe", "Daughter of 'UK's toughest' reveals why he suffered violent rages", "Kristy McNichol of 'Family,' 'Empty Nest' comes out as a lesbian", "Burgess Meredith dies at 89 10 September 1997", "Former Eagles Member Randy Meisner Allegedly Threatened Murder-Suicide", "LANL astrophysicist Dimitri Mihalas dies at 74", "Interview: Dr Liz Miller on mental health", "Former North East radio and TV presenter Jonathan Morrell shares his story of depression in the wake of Robin Williams tragedy", "The Boston Case of Charles Merrill Mount: The Archivist's Arch Enemy", "A confident Alison Moyet is beating her demons", "Choroba, kterou trpl zpvk Muk, asto kon sebevradou", "Rich and famous mourn Wall Street's John Mulheren", "Kim Novak says she's bipolar, regrets leaving Hollywood", " " " ", "Bill Oddie reveals he thought he'd die with his bipolar battle last year", "The Cranberries lead singer Dolores O'Riordan, 45, on the band's new album, The Voice and being chased by a bear", "bleeding through makes me want to mosh, and throw up a pointer finger towards my computer", "Famed frontman Steven Page shares his journey through mental illness", "Pauley's struggle with bipolar disorder", "Jane Pauley shares her story: Former Dateline NBC co-host talks about struggle with illness in new book", "Coronation Street 19602000: Where are they now? Many writers, artists, and actors have been open about their journey with bipolar disorder. He reminds people about the importance of treatment, saying if he doesn't take his medication, lithium, he has a breakdown. Linda Hamilton is best known for her role as Sarah Connor in Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day. 143 Famous People with Bipolar Disorder Jun 27, 2013 by Brandon Gaille For anyone who is bipolar or knows someone who has it, here are 143 inspiring examples of famous people with bipolar disorder that have had tremendous success. A growing number of celebrities has opened up about living with bipolar disorder, defined by the Mayo Clinic as a lifelong mental health condition that "causes extreme mood swings that include . Stress is often a trigger for the disorder. Abbie Hoffman Adam Ant Adrian Borland Alan Garner Alonzo Spellman Amy Winehouse Andrew Johns Andy Behrman In 2011, Van Damme said he took medication for mood swings that he says he had since childhood., Pauley, a TV anchor and journalist, has been in the spotlight since she replaced Barbara Walters on NBCs Todayshow in 1976. He did not pursue appropriate treatment, though, she said. In the 2008 documentary Acting Class of 1977, Gibson revealed hed been diagnosed with bipolar. In 2006, psychiatrist Christopher D. Martin published a study based on Hemingways medical records, correspondence, and other documents with the goal of shedding light on his mental health. JM de Guzman. Best known for her role in the Terminator movies, Linda Hamilton, 64, has been living with bipolar disorder for decades. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. She said at the time that medication had helped her find more balance, but "it's a work in progress. Vivien Leigh of "Gone with the Wind" fame swung between severe depression and mania. According to AP Radio, Hamilton struggled with symptoms of bipolar disorder for 20 years before being diagnosed, a time she calls her "lost years. Though she initially worried that treatment would diminish her talents, she is now on medication and speaks openly about having the disorder. In the study presented in Pittsburgh, Geller wanted to establish how bipolar behaviors like mania, grandiosity, and mood swings would appear in children. Bipolar Disorder in Children: How Symptoms Present It has long been said that those with bipolar disorder are more creative than average. It became a big sigh of relief, because finally, we had an answer.". 18 Celebrities with Bipolar Disorder - Olympia House Rehab For years, Cobain and wife, Courtney Love, abused drugs like Heroin, Cocaine, and pills - even as Cobain struggled with severe depression. In 1991, O'Connor was named Artist of the Year by Rolling Stone. Updated on: April 11, 2018 / 9:37 AM I could take a deep breath and go, Okay, that explains so much. Bipolar Disorder: #N# <h2>What Is Bipolar Disorder?</h2>#N# <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden">#N# <div class="field . Elton John is known and loved for his soulful music, which always manage to lift the spirits of the listeners. "After dealing with the stress of the past year, Catherine made the decision to check into a mental health facility for a brief stay," her publicist announced in a 2011 statement, per ABC News. News reported. The late Carrie Fisher's portrayal of Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy turned her into a pop-culture icon. At the time, she says shed felt irresponsible, untrustworthy, and like someone who had a million ideas and couldnt get any of them done. She says she wanted to make peace with this manic version of herself. To help anyone struggling know they're not alone and to have hope", "Ex-New York Times Reporter Jayson Blair On The Day It All Came Crashing Down", "B.C. How Are Seasonal Patterns Related to Bipolar Disorder? The wife of acclaimed actor Laurence Olivier, Leigh had a reputation for being difficult on the set. The American Journal of Psychiatry examined a number of historical texts, including his own letters, in coming to this conclusion. "General Hospital" soap opera star Maurice Benard was diagnosed with bipolar after a major breakdown at age 22. American singer, actor, and producer Francis (Frank) Albert Sinatra was one of the most well-known and significant musical figures of the 20th century. It has made me empathetic. Pauley suffered from hives, and it is thought that the steroids used to treat the condition kick-started manic periods. In 2017, rocker Scott Stapp made headlines for his alcohol and drug addiction and erratic behavior. Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain was diagnosed as a child with attention deficit disorder (ADD) and bipolar disorder, and his family had a history of suicide. I found out recently Im manic depressive. (Manic depression is the previous term for bipolar disorder. Hartley co-founded the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. There was also a history of suicide in his family. Last medically reviewed on August 18, 2022, People with bipolar disorder experience intense mood changes that can last for weeks or more. In 2011, actor Catherine Zeta-Jones, then 41, revealed that she has bipolar II disorder, which causes severe depression. Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter who, after his death, became one of the most influential artists in Western history. Demi Lovato Demi Lovato was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2010 when she was 22 years old. From that point on, she spent much of her life educating the public on mental health issues. In this week's PEOPLE cover story, Mariah Carey reveals for the first time her battle with bipolar disorder . Adding to the stress was a fight with Douglas' first wife over royalties from the actor's movie, "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps." Impaired by bipolar disorder, or in his words, 'the Abbott pendulum', that swung between the two extremes of 'allwellity' and 'sick disgust'", Meryman, 1999. In 1888, van Gogh infamously cut off his own ear after an argument with his friend and fellow artist Paul Gauguin. All rights reserved. Read more on 10 Famous People with Schizophrenia. Celebrities and Famous People with Bipolar Disorder Everythings a conspiracy, said West. 25 Famous People with Bipolar Disorder - RespectCareGivers By one estimate, 30-60% of people who suffer from manic depression also have substance abuse problems. Bipolar Disorder - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Ernest Hemingway was an American novelist, short-story writer, and journalist. ", Pauley began experiencing depression at the age of 50, and wrote about it in her autobiography "Skyrwriting: A Life Out of the Blue." 23. Famous People With Bipolar Disorder: 8 Celebs Coping With Bipolar Some, even the bipolar people themselves, may feel like they have no hope of being "normal" or successful. Brand published his first autobiography in 2007 and detailed his struggles with drug abuse in Recovery: Freedom From Our Addictionsin 2017., The leader of the California surfing sound, Wilson wrote and produced nine albums and 16 hit singles in a 3-year span with the Beach Boys. I put positive people around me, and I got back to doing what I love -- writing songs and making music., Known for her role as Princess Leia in the Star Warsmovie franchise, Fisher got diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 24. Now she's leading a worker uprising at Apple", "Francesco Scavullo, Fashion Photographer, Dies at 82", "Robert Schumann: Music amid the Madness", "Bipolar music and how to get the mood swinging on Today: Robert Winston's Musical Analysis, R4", "Katja Schuurman (44) gestopt met medicatie vanwege kinderwens", "Manic-depressive illness and creativity", "Charlie Sheen reveals bipolar diagnosis on Dr Oz", "Yo Yo Honey Singh thanks doctors for helping him fight bipolar disorder", "Mumbai police chief tells: Sushant Singh Rajput had bipolar disorder", "Sushant Singh Rajput was taking medication for bipolar disorder", "Eels' Tim Smith reveals bipolar disorder", Britney Spears opens up on bipolar disorder: 'I turn into a different person', "Phil Spector, famed music producer and murderer, dies at 81", "Spellman returns to football after addressing disorder NFL ESPN", "An Interview with Peter Steele of Type O Negative", "TOO SOON Comedian Brody Stevens Dead by Suicide at 48: 'Another Singular Force of Nature Gone', "Episode 26: The Pudding Cup of My Brain (feat. In 2000, she married actor Michael Douglas. But with my bipolar becoming public, I hope fellow sufferers will know its completely controllable. And he went to some scary, scary places.". Celebrities With Schizophrenia | Banyan Mental Health John Hinckley, Jr: 1955 - Present. Kanye has been open about his mental health struggles, particularly following a nervous breakdown in 2016 which led him to cancel the remainder . 25. Bipolar disorder is more common in people who have a first-degree relative, such as a sibling or parent, with the condition. More than 5 million Americans suffer from the disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Bipolar disorder has varying levels of severity and in really severe cases there. Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is a difficult mental health condition to live with for anyone, let alone for people who are famous and constantly in the limelight. Many famous artists, musicians, and actors have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. " Manic, A Memoir " by Terri Cheney. 3. Why Its Difficult to Accept a Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis and What Helps, Inside Bipolar Podcast: Owning Our Mistakes (Caused by Symptoms). In the 2008 documentary "Acting Class of 1977", the actor announced . His inability to connect with people could place him on the autism spectrum. You May Have Heard of Some of These People. 10 Famous People Who Were Bipolar - Oddee She has chosen to use. She was diagnosed in 1994 during a serious suicidal depression. He revealed hed been self-medicating while on tour with Fall Out Boy to cope with what he later learned were bipolar symptoms. Winehouse herself linked her drinking to depression. ", "Cyclothymia: Matt Edmondson reveals impact of mental health disorder", "Kayak Founder Paul English on How Bipolar Disorder Was Key to His Startup's Success", "CBS Sports' David Feherty on His Mental Illness and Pill-Popping: 'He's Got Every Psychosis There Is', "Carrie Fisher 'strikes back' at mental illness", "Caroline Flack was 'ashamed' of mental health problems and bipolar diagnosis", "Helen Flanagan Discusses Contemplating Suicide After Stopping Bipolar Disorder Medication", "Tom Fletcher | Tom Fletcher Struggled With Weight Obsession Before Bipolar Diagnosis", "Tom McFly reveals weight issues RT Ten", "Piers Morgan Tonight: Interview With Larry Flynt", "YouTube star battles bipolar depression", "Blue October's Justin Furstenfeld on His Bi-Polar Disorder and Divorce", "The Game Talks About The Benefits Of Being Bi-Polar [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]", "Selena Gomez: Singer speaks about bipolar disorder", "CANOE JAM! Elizabeth Burke-Dain, "Cosmo Campoli" (obituary). Vincent Van Gogh's painting "Self Portrait with a Straw Hat", First published on March 30, 2016 / 4:03 PM. Kurt Cobain and his battle with Mental Illness As a guest on David Lettermans Netflix series My Next Guest Needs No Introduction, West shared that his mania can bring racing thoughts, irritability, sleep loss, paranoia, or psychosis. According to a review published in August 2019 in Medicina, research shows that as many as 20 percent of people with bipolar disorder die by suicide, and as many as 60 percent attempt suicide at least once. Pauley detailed her experiences with bipolar disorder in her bestselling memoir, Skywriting: A Life Out of the Blue. Although she was first diagnosed in 2001 (when . 12 Famous People With Bipolar Disorder - EverydayHealth.com Numerous celebrities have been open about having bipolar disorder. Pop star Mariah Carey revealed in a 2018 interview with People that she'd been living with bipolar 2 disorder for nearly two decades. In this memoir, Cheney discusses her life as a high-powered entertainment lawyer with bipolar disorder. But Carey states that she didnt want to believe the diagnosis at that time. But, the music star himself had to battle with the vices of substance abuse, as well as bulimia. The five-time Grammy Award winner died July 23, 2011, at age 27, from alcohol poisoning. We love you.' Kay Redfield Jamison (born June 22, 1946) is an American clinical psychologist and writer. I try to take whats going on and turn it into something beautiful in the best way that I can.. Nearly 3 percent of Americans have bipolar disorder, so its not surprising that some people with this condition are household names. came under fire for rants on social media. Carey has sold more than 200 million records and has 18 #1 hits. We loved him in movies such as Braveheart, Lethal Weapon, and The Passion of the Christ. 1. She told Oprah Winfrey in 2007 that before her diagnosis she had struggled with thoughts of suicide and overwhelming fear. Despite his personal battles, or perhaps because of it, Churchill was a man of immense accomplishments. Common symptoms include loss of energy, problems sleeping, difficult concentrating and o n the other side of the spectrum euphoria, needing less sleep, feeling edgy, hyper, irritable and engaging in risky behavior. When youre in this state, youre hyper-paranoid about everything. People with bipolar disorder are sometimes thought to be "crazy," dangerous and abnormal in some way. 17 Famous People With Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) He sold more than 150 million records, was a Las Vegas headliner, and won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in From Here to Eternity.Behind the scenes, Sinatras volatile temper was legendary, as was his charity. Newton suffered from huge ups and downs in his moods, indicating bipolar disorder, combined with psychotic tendencies. She disclosed that she had bipolar disorder in 2007. Demi Lovato is a popular singer and actress who has struggled with bulimia, depression and self-harm as early as age 11, but it wasn't until she entered treatment as an adult that she learned of her bipolar disorder diagnosis. She died in 2016 from sepsis at 69., As first lord of the admiralty at the start of World War I and British prime minister in World War II, Churchill rallied people with stirring speeches and radio broadcasts to encourage resistance against Germany. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Smoking Pot Every Day Linked to Heart Risks, Artificial Sweetener Linked to Heart Risks, FDA Authorizes First At-Home Test for COVID and Flu, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, Mood Disorders: How to Recognize and Treat Them. Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition characterized by extreme shifts in mood and energy levels. Part of this record process was almost writing her a love letter.. "It's rather splendid to think of all those great men and women who appear to have presented symptoms that allows us to describe them as bipolar. John Daly has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, but he reportedly does not like taking medication to treat the mental illness. But she experienced mood swings and breakdowns throughout her life. ", How I Beat Depression: "How Jean Claude Van Damme Beats Bipolar. However, partly due to her tumultuous childhood, she struggled with drug and alcohol addictions. ", International Bipolar Foundation: "Winston Churchill and Mental Illness.". Behrens wrote "Thayer outlived World War I, and died in 1921. "My highs, my happiness are really high and my lows are very low and I'm not able to regulate between the two," Wentz told Stern, according to MTV News. I wouldn't know how to tie a rope, know what I mean? On stage and in interviews, Fisher called for more attention and research on the condition. Unfortunately for Kurt, compliance with the appropriate treatment is also a critical factor, said Beverly. Meryman wrote "at the end he had grown suicidal. Amy Simpson is an inner strength coach, a popular speaker, and the award-winning author of Troubled Minds: Mental Illness and the Church's Mission and Anxious: Choosing Faith in a World of Worry . After diagnosis and treatment she told AP radio, "My quality of life is more amazing than I ever could've imagined in those 20 years of struggling with illness.". And I have bipolar disorder", "I'm CA's Acting Surgeon General. Celebrities with Bipolar Disorder - Parade: Entertainment, Recipes As a child, he had a binge eating disorder and was only treated for depression though he was also showing signs of mania. 11 famous people inspirational you didn't know had bipolar. Emmy-winning actress Mariette Hartley, well known for her Polaroid commercials with actor James Garner, went public with her bipolar diagnosis in an interview with USA Today. Bipolar Disorder | Psychology Today #2 Theodore Roosevelt Jr. (1858-1919) The iconic American statesman, author, soldier, explorer, and reformer is suspected to have lived with bipolar I disorder. Celebrities, Famous people that have bipolar disorder - Cadabams Recently I went to one of the best mental health hospitals in America, McLean Hospital [affiliated with Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts], and I discussed that after years of going through a lot of different things, I realized I was bipolar, said Gomez in a 2020 interview with Elle. Hinckley Jr. shot Reagan with a revolver as the president was walking out of the Hilton Hotel in Washington D.C. ", While in an intensive program in a dual diagnostic facility, Stapp was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She recorded 10 solo albums. There are several types of bipolar disorder: bipolar I, bipolar II, rapid-recycling, mixed bipolar and cyclothymia. Super-talented British singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse suffered from substance abuse and bipolar disorder. This podcast episode asks a serious question. You feel youre being recorded. Many experts believe van Gogh may have lived with bipolar disorder, as he reportedly experienced episodes of intense energy and productivity, often followed by periods of depression and severe fatigue. Vincent Van Gogh The celebrated artist's bipolar disorder is discussed in The Key to Genius: Manic Depression and the Creative Life by D. Jablow Hershman and Julian Lieb and Dear Theo, The Autobiography of Van Gogh. It worked. At the time, bipolar disorder was not as well understood as it is now. I describe myself as a rescue dog: I'm fine until you put me in a situation that even slightly smells like any of the trauma I went through, then I flip my lid.". He suffered from substance abuse in addition to having mental health problems. For people with Bipolar disorder, these episodes can last long periods of time and lead to extreme behaviours. She also starred in the TV series Beauty and the Beast. 9 Famous People With Bipolar Disorder - HealthCentral "All of it was nonsense. How the Creativity of Bipolar Minds Affects Art and Science - Healthline First diagnosed in 2001 after being hospitalized for a mental and physical breakdown, the platinum-selling singer told People that she "didn't want to believe" the diagnosis. Elton John. In addition, she had chronic insomnia. "I was actually manic a lot of the time. Kurt Cobain's cousin, Bev Cobain, a registered nurse with a background in mental health, spoke about Kurt being diagnosed at a young age with Attention Deficit Disorder and then with bipolar disorder. So we decided to honor a few of those musicians who have battled with mental illness against all odds, while giving us wonderful music. 22 Celebrities Who Experienced Depression - Health: Trusted and Inside Bipolar Podcast: Managing Marriage and Bipolar. 1. As Kurt undoubtedly knew, bipolar illness can be very difficult to manage, and the correct diagnosis is crucial. It is difficult to diagnose bipolar in someone with substance abuse. "Every pore of you is crying and you don't even understand why or what," OConnor told Winfrey. 8 Famous Faces of Bipolar Disorder Russell Brand Catherine Zeta-Jones Kurt Cobain Graham Greene Nina Simone Winston Churchill Demi Lovato Alvin Ailey More information Celebrities with bipolar.