Celebrities Who Have Bipolar Disorder

There are many celebrities who have Bipolar Disorder. Being one of the most severe disorders; Bipolar is characterized as a combination of mania and chronic Depression. Its symptoms are Mania, which is a sudden elevation in mood and depressive episodes sometimes occurring simultaneously. Bipolar is a serious condition that has effected billions of Americans.

One of the most famous people in history who was thought to have Bipolar Disorder was Vincent Van Gogh. Van Gogh's moodiness showed while he completed some of his most famous works. In a rather severe episode, Van Gogh even cut off his ear. Several celebrities that have Bipolar Disorder have explained what the illness is like in various interviews.

Sinead O'Conner tells how she had developed the disorder and how voices in her head would tell her to commit suicide. Obviously they were just manifestations of the depression at its lowest point. Some celebrities like Richard Dryfuss just did not have a clue as to what was wrong with him. Dryfuss explained that he had to walk into the doctor's office and simply ask him to do tests. Apparently, Dryfuss was at a loss as to what was causing him to act so strangely. Bipolar can be a very mysterious disease in that its low and high points are very dramatic. This illness is actually very dangerous in its high suicidal rates. Wynona Ryder, also a sufferer of Bipolar Disorder, states that depression has always been with her and she has learned to accept its highs and lows. Despite her illness, Ryder has managed to become very successful in her career regardless of her illness. Carrie Fisher explained Bipolar Disease as something akin to a drug induced high and then the fall after the drug has worn off. To her, it felt at times like she was on top of the world then suddenly she would fall into the deep darkness of almost suffocating depression.

Bipolar is so debilitating at times that because of its drastic changes in mood. It is sudden and sometimes causes the victim to sleep long periods of time as well as lose vast amounts of sleep during the Manic period. Celebrities struggle as we do with weaknesses including mental illnesses such as Bipolar. The way they handle their conditions may not be so different from the way we handle ours.

Reference: