43 Inspiring Celebs Who Lived With Depression

By Laurel Leicht and Stacey Colino for iVillage.com

These actors, artists, world leaders and authors were able to accomplish great things despite their struggles with the disease.

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Angelina Jolie

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The beautiful Academy Award-winning actress, globe-trotting U.N. Goodwill Ambassador and mother of six may seem to have her act completely together, but throughout her teens and early 20s, Angelina Jolie suffered bouts of depression. After the death of her mother in 2007, she began sliding into another depression and couldn't stop dwelling on negative thoughts. When asked to star in the stunt-packed thriller "Wanted," she jumped at the chance. "My mother had just passed away, and I wanted to do something physical to get it out of my head for a while," Contact Music quotes her as saying in July 2008. "I felt I was going into a very dark place, and I wasn't capable of getting up in the morning, so I signed up for something that would force me to be active." It was a good decision, says Carol Landau, Ph.D., iVillage wellness expert and a clinical professor of psychiatry and medicine at Brown University's Alpert Medical School in Providence, R.I. "The stress and grief that come with the death of a loved one can easily turn into depression, and it can be really hard to break the pattern of ruminating about the loss. Distracting activities, especially physical activity, can be helpful in breaking that cycle," Landau says.

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The beautiful Academy Award-winning actress, globe-trotting U.N. Goodwill Ambassador and mother of six may seem to have her act completely together, but throughout her teens and early 20s, Angelina Jolie suffered bouts of depression.

After the death of her mother in 2007, she began sliding into another depression and couldn't stop dwelling on negative thoughts. When asked to star in the stunt-packed thriller "Wanted," she jumped at the chance.

"My mother had just passed away, and I wanted to do something physical to get it out of my head for a while," Contact Music quotes her as saying in July 2008. "I felt I was going into a very dark place, and I wasn't capable of getting up in the morning, so I signed up for something that would force me to be active."

It was a good decision, says Carol Landau, Ph.D., iVillage wellness expert and a clinical professor of psychiatry and medicine at Brown University's Alpert Medical School in Providence, R.I.

"The stress and grief that come with the death of a loved one can easily turn into depression, and it can be really hard to break the pattern of ruminating about the loss. Distracting activities, especially physical activity, can be helpful in breaking that cycle," Landau says.

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Susan Shaffer said on 5 Monday 2011 am30 3:04 am: from an evolutionary standpoint, what is the benefit of depression? it is extraordinarily common. A person has a 1 in 5 chance of being depressed at some point in their life.

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[Janeu]

11:49 AM on 10/05/2011

As someone who has battled the awful feelings and thoughts depression brings, I find some of these celebrities so-called 'solutions' trite, condescending and unrealistic for those of us struggling to live in the real world.

A celebrity can afford the best of therapists. Not just whoever your insurance covers, if you are lucky enough to even have insurance.

A celebrity can afford a personal nutritionist. The personal trainer. The personal masseuse. A personal assistant to run their lives, while they recover.

Can take time off to any high end resort/retreat to rest, rejuvenate and find themselves.

Doesn't have to worry about money, security or paying their bills, even if they are not working.

The list goes on.

The rest of us are barely making it day to day. Mentally, spiritually, and financially.

To simply say, think positive thoughts and find your inner peace is easier said when the best options are afforded to you.

The rest of us just try to suck it up and carry on as best we can. As the battle continues.

[sunflower12]

09:03 PM on 10/05/2011

You're so right about the perks of being a celebrity, however, I would not want to be a celebrity for one day of my life.
What about the lack of privacy? privacy is priceless.
I struggle with depression as well, I don't have the answer to it, I've decided a long time ago not to take any meds, I just keep trying on a daily basis. I have good days, bad days.
I'm still hoping that the day will come when I 'll be able to go back into running, and then all my problems will be solved. Seriously, it's not so simple, but, from my experience, the solution lies on the attitude. Just keep trying. And do it, if you can.

[Chuck Bluestein]

02:57 PM on 09/07/2011

It must be therapeutic to read about all these famous people that had to deal with depression. Some think that depression is a simple thing. Like a person is depressed because something bad happened. But it is very complex and can be caused by many different things including a lack of nutrients B vitamins or omega-3. It can be also caused by lack of sunlight known as SAD-- seasonal affective disorder.

Daniel Amen, M.D. has done tens of thousands of brain scans. He learned from this that different activites can affect the brain. Some studies show that exercise is better for the brain than drugs. Alcohol and drugs are bad for the brain. Dr Amen wrote the book, Change Your Brain, Change Your Life.

Depression is cured by many different things since there are so many causes. I know that some cases can be caused by a lack of a deep connection with someone. And a deep connection with someone can then cure it. Professor Martin Selegman was president of the American Psychological Association. He is an expert on depresion and wrote books about it after he was able to produce it in animal experiements. He found attitude can have a big affect. http://bit.ly/9JTjUW He is now director of the Positive Psychology Network that studies how people can be happier-- taking a proactive approach to depression!

[Sasa Milosevic]

04:10 PM on 09/06/2011

" She's a billionaire author whose wildly popular Harry Potter books, movies and theme park have enchanted millions around the world. But while living as a single mother in a cramped apartment after separating from her first husband, J.K. Rowling suffered from suicidal thoughts..."

The billions, obivously, cure of depression. She was depressed as a poor woman. Money and luxury life are best medication against the suicidal thoughts....

[Lena McFarland]

03:58 PM on 09/12/2011

not really since most on that list were rich and famous while suffering depression. victor frankyl says the meaning of life is to find the meaning of life...and the the three things that give most people's lives meaning are some combination of work, love, and learning to tolerate the things we have no control over. and he says that people, when asked, express the most admiration for people who have mastered the third thing.

[sunflower12]

09:05 PM on 10/05/2011

A nice boyfriend also helps.
So does the infamous "retail therapy". These are temporary solutions, since the real solution
has to come from within.
Oh, a trip to New York, that is also helpful:)

[Sasa Milosevic]

02:37 PM on 09/06/2011

I will never understand what did really cause their depression.
They have everything:
fame, money, travelling, good life, good social and health care, servants.
They have lot of people around themselves to share with them sadness and other bad moments.
I cannot believe that a fame persons with so extensive life's experience and possibility to pay the best psychiatrtists still justify the own depression by sexual abuse from childhood. Nonsense !

[sunflower12]

09:06 PM on 10/05/2011

True love, true affection, a positive attitude, balance, these things cannot be bought. Some of them have money but don't have peace, so, depression happens.

[Susan Shaffer]

03:04 AM on 09/05/2011

from an evolutionary standpoint, what is the benefit of depression? it is extraordinarily common. A person has a 1 in 5 chance of being depressed at some point in their life.

[DogDancer]

12:08 AM on 09/06/2011

Susan, if I remember correctly, there was an article not too long ago in Science investigating the possible biological/evolutionary role of depression. Sorry I can't provide more of a citation, but I do remember that it was a fascinating article and the authors made a good scientific case.

[demonicpolitic]

04:40 PM on 09/04/2011

For some to suggest that these people are somehow not allowed to be depressed because of their fame or fortune, almost seem to be implying that money makes happiness, which really makes me feel sorry for you as a person, and i wonder what depressive issues you may develop from having such an empty and unfulfilling life, if anything this article should show you the importance of such mental issues by seeing such successful individuals suffering regardless.

[DogDancer]

12:34 AM on 09/06/2011

Agreed, demonicpolitic! It's so, so important for us to see that all these people, who are talented, famous, creative -- you name it -- are human, and in so many other respects just like the rest of us. They are prone to all the frailnesses that the non-famous experience. Just as importantly, they have sought the right sort of medical help, and have worked hard to get healthier. By being open about their struggles, and in most cases, their successful reclamation of health, they have helped lessen the remaining stigma about mental health illnesses. My hat is off to them!

[WoodsideCraig]

08:27 PM on 09/02/2011

After seeing this list I've come to the obvious conclusion that having depression makes you rich and famous.

All kidding aside, this has everything to do with the creative personality and the emotional sensitivity that comes with it. These are all fantastically creative and sensitive people and not surprisingly, had trouble coping with areas of their lives where they were experiencing abject failure. I think post partum depression is something else though. I'm a guy so I can't really comment on it.

[harperleefan]

12:39 PM on 09/02/2011

I hope that anyone with crippling feelings of grief, shame or unworthiness will read through every one of these personal stories. There is so much of value here. If you'll jot down phrases that leap out at you, you may find a way to move forward in your life.

Charles Schulz took refuge in his comic strip and hoped it would help readers, Jon Hamm found camaraderie and comfort in theater groups. While grieving her mother's death, Angelina Jolie wasn't capable of getting out of bed, so she signed on for something that would force physical activity.

These brave people (yeah, the famous are people too) revealed how hard it was to seek help, because of their feelings of shame, unworthiness or failure, and pointed out that there's often a biological connection.

This, from people who are known for their upbeat music, their humanitarian work, their sunny personalities, and their brilliant successes. Sometimes their lives were successful while inwardly they struggled. Anyone who's struggled similarly can find inspiration here, and valuable tools for moving forward in their lives. Community mental health centers often provide help with fees according to income.

Strange how some use comments here to broadcast their hostility, their lack of compassion and their ignorance. Blaming the "liberal lifestyle"? Please. Liberal means generous, look it up. While you're at it, look up Abraham Lincoln; he was a famous Republican. The people writing hateful comments apparently haven't even taken the trouble to read some of these stories.

[callas143]

01:26 PM on 09/01/2011

So many of you just don't realize the severity of this disease, and yes it is a disease. The message of this article is that depression does not discriminate. It doesn't care who you are. So many people suffer from depression and do not seek help because unfortunately they can't afford it or because they are embarrassed to admit they have a problem. A lot of these celebrities tried to commit suicide, who would do that in order to call attention? Lucky for them they had the means and the courage to seek treatment.

[genasing]

01:47 AM on 09/02/2011

And perhaps because these people are admitting to their illness, more monies will be allocated to help those that cannot afford the treatment. No one is paying attention to the common man. They may pay attention to the famous.

[freelanceny]

01:24 PM on 09/01/2011

I'd be depressed too if I had to see the choice of photographs used in this line-up. Whoever selected these pics must have it in for celebs. Some very good looking people captured in their butt-ugliest moment.

[Anne Siperek]

10:15 PM on 09/01/2011

I was thinking the same thing! Sheryl Crow practically made me jump outta my seat. Could they have gotten any closer?! And Judy Garland, there are way better photos out there of her. And did you notice Lincoln? It was copied off paper money!

[mebemommee06]

05:57 PM on 09/04/2011

depression is ugly.. don't have to be beautiful to have it..

[rbm32162]

01:15 PM on 09/01/2011

All I have to say is this....."Reality, what a concept for many" Believing in oneself is a very srtong influence just as much as not beliving in yourself.

[mebemommee06]

05:58 PM on 09/04/2011

never had depression have ya..good luck!

[mebemommee06]

08:31 AM on 09/06/2011

you do not know, your comment was deleted, and I do know about depression and it has NOTHING to do with believing in yourself or being strong.. even strong people suffered from it.. so don't go writing a book on the subject anytime soon!

[Denise Ellis Hooks]

01:05 PM on 09/01/2011

oops! sorry about my typo.... I meant that you can't dwell on the negative! Have a great day :D

[Denise Ellis Hooks]

01:03 PM on 09/01/2011

I deal with depression everyday. As a widowed Mom of 2 teens I just can't swell on myself, I need to stay positive and active everyday to help my children be all they can be even tho they have had the biggest blow of their lives when their Dad passed away over 2 yrs ago from colon cancer...it was only 3 weeks from diagnosis until he passed. You just have to keep moving forward, you can't
not dwell on the negative... besides, unlike these celebrities, I need to figure out every day how to keep making ends meet. My remedy for depression? A great big B complex vitamin and positive thinking. :D

[rbm32162]

01:18 PM on 09/01/2011

I am so sorry for your loss and you are so correct in the power of positive thinking! Keep your chin up and dont ever let anyone or anything keep you down. Your children will see it and it will sonn reflect on them. God Bless!

[callas143]

01:28 PM on 09/01/2011

I'm sorry for your loss and struggles. I really hope you can overcome this disease and continue being positive!

[furtura1]

12:47 PM on 09/01/2011

their lives are so hard being a star and getting everything they want

[mebemommee06]

05:59 PM on 09/04/2011

and not having apathy isn't your strong suit, is it!!

[DogDancer]

12:38 AM on 09/06/2011

(oops..empathy? :-) )

[cant]

12:25 PM on 09/01/2011

Oh give me a break. Try being an everyday human being who can not afford to seek the help they need. What are you depressed about how you are going to spend your millions of dollars. Must be a slow news day.