12 Celebrities That Have Opened Up About Having Bipolar Disorder

There have been many celebrities working on normalising and breaking the stigma of having Bipolar disorder.

Today is World Bipolar Day. The NHS describes bipolar disorder as "a mental health condition that affects your moods, which can swing from one extreme to another."

1.3 million people in the UK have bipolar disorder. There still is a stigma around it, and having public figures being open about their diagnosis and living with the condition goes a long way when it comes to boosting awareness.

1. Mariah Carey

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Mariah Carey was diagnosed in 2001, and in 2018 she opened up about her experience in People Magazine. "I was irritable and in constant fear of letting people down. It turns out that I was experiencing a form of mania. Eventually, I would just hit a wall. I guess my depressive episodes were characterised by having very low energy." She went on to say "I sought and received treatment, I put positive people around me and I got back to doing what I love — writing songs and making music"

2. Jean-Claude Van Damme

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According to Jean-Claude, getting diagnosed with bipolar disorder was a wake-up call for him. He told Rolling Stone "I train differently, I eat differently, I'm trying to talk less fast because I have lots of passion for the project."

3. Carrie Fisher

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In her book Wishful Drinking, Carrie opened up about a lot, including her struggles with her drinking habits and bipolar disorder. Speaking on her experience, she said: "Being bipolar can be an all-consuming challenge, requiring a lot of stamina and even more courage, so if you're living with this illness and functioning at all, it's something to be proud of, not ashamed of."

4. Pete Wentz

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The Fall Out Boy bassist has always been very open about his diagnosis. Discussing how he handles bipolar disorder, he told HuffPost Live: "I think there's no shame in talking about that kind of stuff. It's not something you should feel scared talking about." In 2019 he took part in Child Mind Institute's anti-stigma campaign #MyYoungerSelf where he opened up about his anxiety.

5. David Harbour

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Stranger Things star, David Harbour opened up about his mental health on Marc Macron's WTF Podcast. He said, "I was sober for like a year and a half, and I was 25, and I actually did have a manic episode, and I was diagnosed as bipolar." In an interview with GQ, Harbour discusses how he thought his diagnosis would affect his work. "I struggle on a daily basis. You try to normalise it, but non-normality is interesting too."

6. Stephen Fry

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At 37, Stephen Fry was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and he made the Documentary The Secret Life of The Manic Depressive. Speaking to Time to Change he said "I'd never heard the word before, but for the first time I had a diagnosis that explains the massive highs and miserable lows I've lived with all my life."

7. Robbie Williams

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Robbie Williams spoke about his life with bipolar disorder in Stephen Fry's documentary. He spoke about his mental health saying “Sometimes it overwhelms me and sometimes it’s a tool I need to get on stage. Sometimes I live in bliss and it’s wonderful." In 2017 he became the first ambassador for Music Support – a charity that provides help and support for those in or employed by the UK music industry affected by mental health and/or addiction.

8. Kanye West

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Kanye West was 39 when he was diagnosed, and has been outspoken about the attitude of the public and press about mental health. In an interview with Big Boy he opened up about how his art serves as an outlet for him.

9. Halsey

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Halsey sat down with Dr. Snehi Kapur for an interview speaking about her personal journey, being an artist, and dealing with her diagnosis. She also talks about how the nature of her condition impacts her artistic process: “When I’m manic, that’s also when I make my best art. It’s when I’m the most compassionate."

10. Selena Gomez

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On Miley Cyrus' instagram show Bright Minded Selena Gomez announced, "Recently, I went to one of the best mental health hospitals in America, McLean Hospital, and I discussed that after years of going through a lot of different things, I realised that I was bipolar." Selena gave a powerful speech about mental health at The McLean Hospital in Boston.

11. Paul Gascoigne

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Known to many as the English football legend, Gazza, Paul also has OCD, and has struggled with alcohol addiction and bulimia. He discusses this in his autobiography Gazza: My Story. Regarding how he handles life, fame, and his struggles, he told Good Morning Britain "I love the public. They're right behind me."

12. Jenifer Lewis

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Lewis was diagnosed in 1990 and wrote a one–woman play called Bipolar, Bath, and Beyond. She spoke in her memoir about the stigma surrounding mental health: "I associated mental illness with people who couldn’t function, with straitjackets. I certainly knew what a depressive mood was, but this other ‘manic’ part was new."

You can find out more about bipolar disorder here. If you need someone to talk to, the Samaritans provide 24/7 support and are contactable on 116 123, you can also text SHOUT to 85258 in the UK for free anonymous 24/7 crisis support from Shout, an affiliate of Crisis Text Line.

Mar. 31, 2021, at 08:45 AM

Correction: An earlier version of this article included Demi Lovato. While she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2010, she has since stated that she believes the diagnosis was wrong, and has since been diagnosed with ADHD.