Depression is considered as one of the most common mental health disorders in America. It is no surprise then that even famous personalities are not immune to experiencing such a condition. It is a common misconception that just because people are rich and famous, then that means that they have nothing to be sad about or complain about. The reality, however, is that even if you’re royalty, it is possible to undergo a period of depression in your life.
Here are a few celebrities who have spoken up about their depression.
1. Demi Lovato
Pop singer Demi Lovato has always been vocal about her substance abuse issues and mental health issues. Demi Lovato even wrote songs about her struggles, relapse, and recovery. According to Demi, what she found really difficult was dealing with the depression associated with her bipolar disorder.
In an interview, Demi was quoted saying, “I’ve seen some dark times, especially with the depressive phase of the illness. Bipolar depression really got my life off track, but today I’m proud to say I’m living proof that someone can live, love and be well with bipolar disorder when they get the education, support, and treatment that they need ”
2. Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish may seem like she’s top of the world, being the youngest person to ever win four major Grammy awards at only 18 years old. The chart-topping singer, however, confessed that during her adolescence, she also battled with depression. According to Eilish, her depression even made her fear that she was going to have a breakdown and shave her head. In an interview with Vogue magazine, the artist confessed that she struggled with body image issues during her early teenage years.
3. Sophie Turner
Sophie Turner is probably one of the most popular TV actresses right now with her role as Sansa Stark in the popular Game of Thrones series. Aside from having a multitude of fans, the 24-year old actress is also newly married to pop star Joe Jonas. While it might seem like life is perfect, Turner confessed that she was suffering from depression since she was 17 years old.
The actress said that out of all her mental health problems, she had depression the longest. She considered getting out of bed, out of the house and learning to love herself as some of her biggest challenges. Turner thinks that social media attacks played a role in her poor mental health because she got affected when people made horrible comments about her, her acting, and her appearance.
4. Kristen Bell
Actress Kristen Bell is popularly known as the voice of Anna in the Frozen animation movies. Her role as the perky and optimistic sister, coupled with her bubbly personality could make you think that it’s impossible for her to go through depression.
However, according to the actress, she struggled a lot with depression and anxiety. In a 2016 interview, Bell said that her mom sat her down and told her that there is a serotonin imbalance in their family line, which can often be passed from female to female. Bell said that she used prescription meds to deal with her anxiety and depression.
5. Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga’s battle with substance abuse and mental health issues is no secret. She has been very vocal about what she’s been through, including her struggles with depression. In one of her interviews, Gaga said that she has suffered through depression and anxiety all her life and she still suffers from it every single day.
When Lady Gaga established her “Born This Way Foundation”, one of her goals was to raise awareness about mental and emotional health so that the youth will be empowered to create a kinder and braver world.
6. Serena Williams
Tennis superstar Serena Williams confessed that she suffered postpartum depression, which is a common kind of depression experienced by new moms. In an Instagram post, Williams confessed that it was tough for her to deal with her emotions and she mostly felt she was not a good mom. According to the tennis champion, she tries to cope by talking things through with her mom, sisters, and friend
7. Prince Harry
If you think being born into the royal family means you cannot be a victim of depression, Prince Harry is a living proof that this is not true. In a 2017 interview, Prince Harry talked about how he used to deny for years that he was struggling with grief brought about by his mother’s death. He said that after talking to people with mental health issues, this paved the way for him to come to grips with his 20-year mental struggle. Now, mental health is one of the main advocacies of the Duke of Sussex.
If you are struggling with depression and you need someone to talk to:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call 1-800-273-8255
If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, help is available.
Contact Morningside Recovery by Lighthouse today.