Bipolar disorder affects 2.6% of the American population aged 18 and older according to WebMD. This disorder is characterized by extreme mood shifts that cycle between depression and mania. Mania is the feeling of being very happy, on top of the world, and even invincible. People may find comfort in knowing that there are famous people with bipolar disorder, giving them hope that they too can have a successful life. You might be surprised to know that the famous people listed below have or had bipolar disorder, yet were able to influence others with their work and inspire future generations.
Actors/Film Makers
Ned Beatty, Francis Ford Coppola, Patty Duke, Linda Hamilton, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Jonathan Winters, Tim Burton, Carrie Fisher, Ben Stiller, Jim Carrey, Spike Milligan, Robert Evans, Stephen Fry, Maurice Benard, Kitty Dukakis, Norman Wexler, Marilyn Monroe
Singers/Musicians/Composers
George Handel, Robert Schumann, Ludwig van Beethoven, Bobby Brown, Jack Irons, Nick Traina, Rosemary Clooney, Ray Davies, Dr. John, Brian Wilson
Writers
Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy, Virginia Woolf, Ernest Hemingway, Charles Dickens, Patricia Cornwell, Sylvia Plath, Hans Christian Andersen, William Faulkner, Alan Garner, Tennessee Williams
Politicians
Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Lynn Rivers
Others
Buzz Aldrin, Mark Vonnegut, Darryl Strawberry, Ted Turner, Michelangelo, Vincent Van Gogh, Chris Kanyon, Sir Isaac Newton
Hundreds of years ago when people like Vincent Van Gogh suffered from bipolar disorder, there were no treatments. Each individual had to deal with the highs and lows of this condition on their own. And even in these times, individuals with bipolar disorder were able to pave a way in society and make their mark on the world.
There is no cure for bipolar disorder but now there are medications and therapies that can help control the symptoms of this condition. Continuous treatment combinations of medication and therapy is the most effective approach to gaining control of bipolar disorder. Because every person responds differently to medication, it can be difficult to find the right drug at the right dosage. Lithium is a mood-stabilizing drug that is effective in treating the manic phase of bipolar disorder and can be combined with an antidepressant medication during other phases.
As evident by the list above, many successful and famous people with bipolar disorder have lived very fruitful lives. While some view bipolar disorder as a devastating condition, others believe it is a strange gift that provides bouts of high energy levels that make a person extra creative. When properly treated, the effects of bipolar disorder are minimized and patients can live their lives, often with enormous creativity and activity.
Sources:
- University of Alabama Student Affairs: Famous People With Bipolar Disorder
- Neuroscience For Kids: Bipolar Disorder
- State of New Jersey Governor's Council on Mental Health Stigma: Celebrities with Bipolar Disorder: Past or Present
- WebMD
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice
Janis Bennett - Janis Bennett has been writting for over 10 years. She enjoys writing about a variety of topics, especially diabetes, ADHD, and travel.
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