So the other day, I came across a young person’s story online about being embarrassed to reach out for help with their depression and how they thought they were the only person on earth that felt like this.   In fact, there are many stories out there talking about others being embarrassed about their depression. I see and read these stories on a daily basis. In fact, the numbers are frightening: only 1 in 4 people will actually seek help for their depression, because they are afraid to talk about it.

The stigma that still surrounds depression is a sad sign that depression is not given the respect it deserves. It's an often life-threatening illness that needs careful treatment and yet many people sweat it out at home because they think they should be able to correct their mood on their own. They may exercise more and change their diet, try to think positive but the depression remains. This often means that a person who could benefit from other treatments often waits until they become even more depressed to finally 'give in' and get the help they need.

It is ok to talk about it though, especially with your parents, friends or other trusted people in your life. Depression can grow and grow until you have no control over it… let someone help. Talking about your depression can really be a small step to feeling better. 

Are you feeling embarrassed because you’re struggling with depression? Feeling like you’re the only one who is depressed? You are not alone... More than 20 million people are depressed during any one year. Depression has no limits. It affects people from all walks of life, cultural backgrounds, young and old, rich and poor, men and women - Even FAMOUS PEOPLE.

So I thought I’d put together a list, if I could - a list of famous people who struggled with depression.  I tried to categorize the list by subsections.  Many of these famous folks were able to cope successfully with their depression with the proper support and treatment.

Actors/Entertainers

Mike Wallace - News journalist /Correspondent. Wallace had experienced severe depressive episodes, but has overcome them with therapy and antidepressant medication.

Brooke Shields - Model/Actress. Shields had suffered from post partum depression after the birth of her son.

Jim Carrey – Actor.  Carrey openly discussed his history of depression and being on Prozac.

Ellen DeGeneres – Comedian/Actress. DeGeneres went through depression for about a year shortly after the cancellation of her show “Ellen”.

Lorraine Bracco – Actress.   Bracco has spoken out publicly about her depression and has worked toward ending stigma around mental illness. Bracco overcame her depression through antidepressants and talk therapy. She is no longer on medication, but continues to find therapy helpful.

Drew Barrymore – Actress.  Barrymore has a depression history that includes a suicide attempt and being hospitalized.

Rosie O’Donnell – Actress.  O’Donnell first felt depressed as a child and experienced periods of depression as an adult.

Dick Clark – Actor.  Clark was interviewed in the book “On the Edge of Darkness” about his experience with depression in the book.

Roseanne Barr – Comedian/Actress.  “Roseanne “has openly announced being diagnosed with clinical depression (with other disorders) has been treated with both psychotherapy and antidepressants.

Musicians/Singers/Songwriters/Composers

Sting (Gordon Sumner) - Artist. While writing his journal, “Broken Music,” Sting fell into a depression that lasted for two years.

Elton John - Singer/Songwriter.  John battled with depression (as well as bulimia and drug abuse) which he later overcame. John went into another period of depression after the death of his two friends (Princess Diana and Gianni Versace).

Billy Joel – Musician. Joel experienced serious depression and admitted himself into a hospital for treatment after attempting to end his life by drinking furniture polish.

Sheryl Crow – Musician. Crow discussed having chronic depression since she was a child. Her depression was helped by antidepressants and therapy.

Ozzy Osbourne - Singer.  Osbourne had periods of depression early on in his life as well as during his career and after the death of Randy Rhoads, his friend and band mate.

Robbie Williams – British Pop Singer. Williams has struggled with reoccurring episodes of depression, he has even cancelled part of his tour to Asia to receive treatment.

Marie Osmond - Country Singer.  Osmond describes her bout with postpartum depression in her book, “Behind the Smile.”

Athletes

Terry Bradshaw – Former NFL., Bradshaw was diagnosed with clinical depression and began taking. (Bradshaw also had panic attacks after games.)

Monica Seles – Professional Tennis Player. In her biography, “Monica: From Fear to Victory,” Seles describes falling into a depression after she was stabbed in the back during a match.

Ty Cobb – Profession Baseball Player. Cobb was hospitalized for depression during his first year with the Detroit Tigers.

Artists

Claude Monet – French impressionist painter.  Monet entered a depressive episode after the death of his wife, Alice Hoschede.

Georgia O'Keeffe –Artist.  After her husband’s affair, O'Keeffe became depressed and was hospitalized for a short period of time.

Jackson Pollock – Abstract expressionist painter. Pollock suffered from depression and alcoholism.

Political/Public Figures

Princess Diana - Princess Diana had suffered from post-partum depression (after her first son was born) and also experienced depression from her transition to Princess of Wales and marital problems.

Abraham Lincoln - 16th President of the United States. Lincoln struggled with depression for his entire life (also suffered with anxiety attacks).

Other Celebrities

Buzz Aldrin – Astronaut (along with Neil Armstrong) who walked on the moon in 1969. Aldrin’s depression began shortly after going to the moon and eventually was hospitalized. He recovered with the help of psychotherapy and depression medicines. Aldrin describes his depressive experience in his book, “Return to Earth.”

Yves Saint Laurent – Fashion Designer. Laurent experienced a nervous breakdown early in his career and was hospitalized.  He also became vulnerable to alcohol and drug use because of his depression.

Feel free to add to this list in the comments below, and remember to join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter

By Brian