I think there is practical value in knowing about famous/successful people who suffered from a psychiatric disorder. There are several potential benefits from knowing about these persons and their disorders. One of the main ones is that we can share this knowledge with our patients and provide them with hope and encouragement that having a mental disorder does not necessarily mean that a person cannot be productive, successful, or happy.
Many mental health clinicians whom I have spoken to did not know that this very famous person suffered from serious “melancholy.” Who wrote the following words?
“I am now the most miserable man living. If what I feel were equally distributed to the whole human family, there would not be one cheerful face on the earth. Whether I shall ever be better I can not tell; I awfully forebode I shall not. To remain as I am is impossible; I must die or be better, it appears to me.”
The answer is Abraham Lincoln.
Read more about Lincoln’s melancholy.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Sir Richard Branson (Founder of Virgin Airlines)
David Neeleman (Founder of JetBlue Airways)
Michael Phelps (Olympic swimmer)
Justin Timberlake (Singer, actor)
Terry Bradshaw (American football player–former quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers)
Tourette’s disorder
Which famous composer suffered from Tourette’s disorder? The answer is Mozart (Camargo and Bronzini, 2015).
Social Anxiety Disorder
American football player Ricky Williams talks about his struggle with social anxiety disorder.
Copyright © 2016, Rajnish Mago, MD. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced in any form without express written permission.
Disclaimer: The information on this website is intended for general educational purposes only. It is NOT intended as a substitute for medical advice. Patients must ask the clinicians treating them, Dr. Mago or others, for advice specific to their situation.