11 Celebrities With Depression

Depression: A Mental Health Disorder That Can Affect Anyone

When people achieve fame and fortune, we can sometimes forget that underneath the glitz and glamour of celebrities real people with real problems exist. Depression can affect anyone at any time in their life, it’s one of the most common disorders in the United States, affecting over 20 million people annually. Depression affects women more than men and ages 18-25 more than any other age group. You might wonder if having money protects you from depression, but as you’ll read below these celebrities still experienced major depressive episodes, and there is a long list of celebrities with depression.

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What Are the Symptoms of Depression?

Depression is defined as persistent sadness or loss of interest, and the symptoms include a wide range of behavioral and physical symptoms. The signs of depression can include loss of sleep or appetite, a lower energy level, lack of concentration, daily erratic behavior, or self-esteem issues.

11 Celebrities with Depression and What They’ve Said About It

Naomi Judd

The recent loss of beloved country music star Naomi Judd in April of 2022 stunned fans across the globe. Naomi had been open about her battle with depression, which she said became severe and debilitating in 2010. In her book “River of Time: My Descent into Depression and How I Emerged With Hope” Naomi describes coming home and not leaving the house for weeks, being unable to maintain basic personal hygiene, or changing out of her pajamas. Naomi Judd overcame an adverse childhood and trauma from violence to become a successful recording artist. Her death the day before her acceptance into the country music hall of fame is a stark reminder that depression knows no boundaries.

Robin Wiliams

Even the love of hundreds of millions of fans wasn’t enough to overcome the strength of his depression, and in 2014 Robin Williams died by suicide. Loved by many the Oscar-winning actor and comedian rarely spoke about his struggles with depression over the years and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and a severe and rapidly progressing form of dementia shortly before his death. Williams did speak about his addiction to alcohol and attended peer support groups for most of his life.

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Cara Delevigne

Thrust into the spotlight while still a child Cara was rich and famous by the time she was 15. Teenage years are tough on anyone, and being a successful supermodel with money and fame wasn’t enough to protect Cara from thoughts of self-harm. Filled with anxiety, depression, and self-hatred Cara turned to parties and drugs. She credits the death of a friend by overdose as being the catalyst that drove her to seek help, and she now takes medication to help control her depression.

Jon Hamm

Mad Men star John Hamm experienced severe depression after his father’s death at age 20. Having already lost his mother to cancer as a child John speaks about how the loss of his father triggered a depressive episode where he dropped out of school, moved into his sister’s basement, and found it difficult to even get out of bed. John credits antidepressant medication with clearing the symptoms of his depression up enough to where he could rejoin society.

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga is open with her fans about many aspects of her life. In a candid interview with Billboard magazine, she speaks about her battle with depression and anxiety and how she overcame it to become the person she is meant to be. Lady Gaga now devotes much of her time to the Born This Way Foundation, an organization dedicated to stopping the harassment and bullying of LBGQT+ people.

Dolly Parton

Beloved singer, songwriter, and actress Dolly Parton struggled with depression for many of the 1980s, which she now attributes to menopause and the regret of not having children. She gained weight during this time, and the press was merciless in their attacks on her appearance. “It was an awful time for me. Every day I’d think I wish I had the nerve to kill myself” Fortunately for her and her millions of fans Dolly took comfort in the children of her loved ones and was able to use her faith to overcome this dark period in her life.

Matthew Perry

Even making millions of people laugh as Chandler Bing on the smash sitcom Friends wasn’t enough to keep the darkness at bay for Matthew Perry. Unbeknownst to his costars, Matthew had severe depression, which led to a crippling addiction to prescription painkillers. Matthew estimates he must have gone through the detox process at least 65 times, even going to open houses hosted by strangers looking for pills. Matthew credits a life-threatening bowel perforation and being placed on life support in 2018 as the catalyst for his change, and he is now sober.

Kanye West

Rap artist, producer, and fashion designer Kanye West is no stranger to public battles with mental health. The death of his mother in 2007 from surgery complications had a profound effect on the artist, blaming himself for exposing her to the pressures of Hollywood. Kanye has also been open about his diagnosis of bipolar disorder and has been hospitalized occasionally. Kanye speaks about taking his medication regularly, “if you don’t take your medication every day you have the potential to ramp up”

Michelle Obama

Even former First Lady, best-selling author, lawyer, and mother Michelle Obama is among the celebrities with depression. She revealed in an August 2020 interview that due to the pandemic, racial tensions, and political divisions in the united states she has been living with Dysthymia. “I try to get a workout in, but there have been periods in this quarantine where I have just felt too low.” Michelle revealed that the murder of George Floyd distressed her, as did the refusal of some to wear masks to protect others.

Pete Davidson

Charming and affable “Saturday Night Live” cast member Pete Davidson deals with depression daily. In a February 2020 interview, Pete stated that he feels depressed all the time and that he has a daily routine to bring himself out of it. “I wake up depressed, but now I know my steps. I have to go outside and be in the sun for a little bit or go for a walk. It’s all just programming yourself to trick your brain” Pete also shares that he has a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder, which experts say is helping to lessen the stigma around BPD.

Taraji P. Henson

Known for her golden globe-winning performance on Empire, Taraji is not only speaking out about her anxiety and depression but also about destigmatizing illness within the black community. Having survived the loss of her father in 2007 and the murder of her son’s father in 2003, seeing headlines about the killing of young black men makes Taraji fear for her own son’s life. Having completed college and begun a successful acting career as a young, single black mother, Taraji acknowledges she’s received praise but says the myth of the strong black woman is more harmful than helpful. Taraji hopes one day we can all be free to talk about mental health and seek help.

Find Help for Treating Depression With You Behavioral Health

You Behavioral Health offers a variety of online therapy treatments that can help people learn how to cope with depression, including celebrities with depression. Our professional counselors are trained to spot symptoms of depression to help patients find solutions to their mental health issues. Contact You Behavioral Health today to learn more about how to treat depression.