10 Celebrities Who Struggle With A Mental Illness

Janet Jackson - Shared that her deepest sadness began in her thirties. "The struggle was intense. I could analyze the source of my depression forever," she explained. "Low self-esteem could be rooted in childhood feelings of inferiority. It could be related to not meeting impossibly high standards. And, of course, there are always social issues of racism and sexism. Put it all together and depression is a tenacious condition and terrifying"

Demi Lovato has been a public figure and artist since her teenage years. At the age of eighteen, she shared her story of experiencing bullying, addiction, eating disorders, cutting, and depression. During a television interview, Lovato explained that she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder while receiving treatment for addiction and eating disorders. Lovato learned coping skills and techniques to control and understand her emotions during that time. "For the first time in my life, I started to feel," she said.

In May 2018, Mayim Bialik, the actress from 'The Big Bang Theory,' opened up about her struggles with depression as part of the #MyYoungerSelf campaign by the Child Mind Institute. In a video, Mayim shared that she wished she could tell her younger self that there were answers to her mental health struggles and that there were various types of help available that might be right for her. She also expressed regret for thinking that if something didn't work immediately, nothing would work and wished she could tell her younger self that, with more research and effort, something would eventually help.

Daniel Radcliffe, who became famous for his role as 'Harry Potter' at the age of ten, has been battling OCD since he was five years old. Even at such a young age, Radcliffe recognized that his anxiety was affecting him when he couldn't turn off the light for five minutes, and he knew he needed to take action.

Pete Davidson revealed that he had mental breakdowns that left him in a blind rage. "One of my psychiatrists [diagnosed me]. He was always saying before this big meltdown, 'You’re probably bipolar or borderline, we’re just going to have to figure it out.'"

In a 2022 interview with 'Variety', Elizabeth Olsen shared her struggles with mental health. The actress explained that she only began experiencing anxiety and panic attacks at the age of 21 while living in New York. Before then, Olsen did not even understand what anxiety or a panic attack was. Fortunately, thanks to a friend who was a medical expert, she was able to find ways to cope with her anxiety.

Leonardo DiCaprio has openly discussed his struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder, revealing that he feels the urge to repeatedly walk through doors and step on gum stains left on sidewalks. Despite these compulsive tendencies, DiCaprio has been able to manage them by recognizing when he's being irrational and stopping himself. "I can say at some point, 'You're being ridiculous. Stop stepping on every gum stain you see. You don't need to do that,'" he said.

In a 2016 interview, Amanda Seyfried spoke openly about her battle with obsessive-compulsive disorder, which she has struggled with since her teenage years. This disorder caused her to experience anxiety about her health, at times even thinking she had a brain tumor. After receiving an MRI, her neurologist referred her to a psychiatrist, and over time she learned to manage her compulsive thoughts and restlessness through therapy.

Emma Stone has been open about her struggles with mental health, sharing that she has experienced anxiety from a young age. In a 2016 interview with 'Rolling Stone', she revealed that at just 7 years old, she was convinced her house was on fire, which caused a tight feeling in her chest and difficulty breathing. Despite the constant anxiety, acting became a crucial way for her to manage her symptoms. On stage, she had to be present and focused, which was the opposite of anxiety. Additionally, therapy was also a significant source of support for her.

After releasing her book, Gillian Anderson opened up about her struggles with mental health and her journey towards recovery. Anderson's battle with anxiety dates back to her teenage years when she began therapy at 14. In high school, she was even voted "Most Likely to Get Arrested," which came true when she was caught walking into her school on prom night. Her book sheds light on many instances when her mental health issues overwhelmed her, causing her to feel like isolating herself from the world outside. "There were times when it was really bad," she revealed. "There have been times in my life when I have not wanted to leave the house."