Celebrities With Bipolar Disorder and Their Personal Journeys

Bipolar disorder doesn’t discriminate, and many well-known figures have shared their experiences to reduce stigma and encourage others to seek help. Here’s a look at celebrities with bipolar disorder, how they acknowledged their condition, and the impact their openness has had on public awareness.

Patty Duke 

One of the earliest celebrities to speak openly about mental health, Patty Duke was diagnosed with manic depression (now known as bipolar disorder) in 1982. She revealed her diagnosis in her 1987 autobiography Call Me Anna and later co-authored A Brilliant Madness: Living with Manic Depressive Illness, detailing her struggles and treatment. Her advocacy helped normalize conversations about bipolar illness long before it was widely discussed.

Carrie Fisher 

Star Wars icon Carrie Fisher was one of the most outspoken celebrities with bipolar disorder. In interviews and her books, she described living with bipolar disorder, addiction, and how she used humor to cope. Fisher openly talked about self-medication and mood swings, using nicknames for her bipolar states while also advocating for mental health awareness in interviews and public forums.

Mariah Carey 

Superstar Mariah Carey was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2001 after a mental health crisis, but she largely kept it private for years. In 2018, she publicly revealed her diagnosis to People magazine, explaining that denial and fear of stigma had kept her silent for too long. Her openness helped fans see that even global icons can struggle and find strength through treatment and support.

Catherine Zeta-Jones 

Oscar-winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones confirmed she has bipolar II disorder around the time her husband, Michael Douglas, was undergoing cancer treatment. She described her diagnosis as “liberating” because it provided clarity and understanding after periods of instability. Zeta-Jones has spoken publicly about managing the condition and reducing stigma.

Selena Gomez

Pop star and actor Selena Gomez revealed her bipolar diagnosis in her Apple TV+ documentary My Mind & Me, sharing that psychosis and mood swings led to intensive treatment in 2018. Her decision to document her journey — including struggles with medication and identity — opened a major conversation about mental health, especially among younger fans.

Chyler Leigh

TV star Chyler Leigh publicly shared in 2019 that she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder about a decade earlier. Though she doesn’t frequently make headlines over her condition, her revelation on advocacy platforms highlighted how addressing mental health can be part of a long, ongoing personal journey.

David Harbour 

Stranger Things star David Harbour revealed he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder around age 25. In recent interviews, he explained how intense psychotherapy and stable treatment have been key to his well-being, and he has spoken candidly about managing manic episodes and the importance of consistent care.

Kanye West

Rapper and producer Kanye “Ye” West publicly opened up about being diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2016, even referencing it on his 2018 album Ye and in interviews where he described mood shifts as part of his creative process. However, in a more recent 2025 interview, Ye revealed that after further evaluation encouraged by his wife, he believes his earlier bipolar disorder diagnosis may have been a misdiagnosis and that he is actually on the autism spectrum. 

While not always as public about specifics, several other entertainers and public figures have also spoken about living with bipolar disorder, including:

• Demi Lovato — Singer/actor managing bipolar disorder while advocating for mental health support.
• Russell Brand — Comedian and author who’s shared his experiences with bipolar disorder and recovery.
• Mel Gibson — Actor who acknowledged bipolar influences on mood swings at various points.

These celebrities show that courage isn’t the absence of struggle — it’s the willingness to share their reality, help others feel less alone, and push back against stigma.