Not long ago, mental health issues were ignored and frowned upon. Many would laugh at celebrities like Britney Spears, who had a mental breakdown, while others would throw shame at Amy Winehouse, who suffered from depression and addiction.
But thankfully, as time has gone on, mental disorders are now widely talked about, and a lot of the awareness has been raised by famous people in the public eye.
Celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Demi Lovato have normalized anxiety, showing us that they too, are human and suffer from the same crippling mental health conditions like the rest of us. From opening up about depression, to discussing their thoughts of suicide, many stars haven’t been ashamed to share their real-life struggles.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25% of the U.S. population (including celebs) suffers from mental illness [via Thrive Works].
One study, according to Vantage Point Recovery, found that over 60% of famous musicians admitted to battling a mental health disorder like depression.
To shine light on these struggles and open the conversation around anxiety and depression, we present 25 celebrities who have struggled with their mental health and have been vulnerable enough to share their stories:
A List of Celebrities With Mental Health Issues
1. Kendall Jenner
Suffers from: Anxiety
Kendall Jenner has spoken out regarding her anxiety a number of times—we’ve even seen her battle with panic attacks on Keeping Up with the Kardashians. In a 2024 interview with British Vogue, the model admitted, “I’m a negative thinker. That’s my problem. I’m always worrying about something that may never happen.”
Detailing her anxiety disorder, Kendall says she often feels “more sad and anxious than usual” and that she has suffered with this condition since the age of seven. From having moments where she struggles to breathe, to continuously being “in and out of those feelings,” this celebrity clearly has a rough time with her mental health.
But, how does the model with a very public job handle her anxiety? Kendall acknowledges her need for personal space and alone time to help her unwind—but also by “moving” and “getting her [my] blood flowing.”
2. Beyoncé Knowles
Suffers from: Insomnia
Beyoncé places immense pressure on herself to be the perfect mother, performer, and role model. Admitting to Harper’s Bazaar that she has “not always made herself [myself] a priority,” Bey revealed that she has suffered from insomnia “for more than half of her [my] life.”
Her tough touring regime forces her to perform extreme workouts and endure strict diets: “In the past, I spent too much time on diets,” she said, adding that that she used to have a “misconception that self-care meant exercising and being overly conscious of my body.”
Now, Beyoncé prioritizes self-care: “I know that to give the best of me, I have to take care of myself and listen to my body,” she continued. Bey uses CBD while touring to help curb anxiety on a daily basis. She also has honey hives at her house to reap the mental health benefits of freshly-produced honey.
3. Lady Gaga
Suffers from: PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
At just 19 years of age, a young Stefani Germanotta (Lady Gaga’s real name), found herself in the most terrifying situation when she was raped by a male music producer.
Not long after this horrific event, Gaga was thrust into the spotlight and her busy lifestyle prevented her from truly processing the trauma. Admitting years later that she’d had “a total psychotic break” and was in an “ultra state of paranoia,” the hitmaker had clearly developed post traumatic stress disorder. During a 2020 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Gaga opened up about her mental health struggles: “I started to experience this incredible intense pain throughout my entire body that mimicked the illness I felt after I was raped.”
Although she is still “learning all the ways to pull herself [myself] out of it,” this best-selling female artist is now dedicated to opening the conversation around mental health and encouraging people to get the help they need.
4. Zayn Malik
Suffers from: Anxiety and eating disorder
Zayn Malik was thrown into the limelight at a young age after rising to fame with One Direction. With all that success, came a lot of pressure and a “regimented” lifestyle. Opening up about his mental health, Zayn told the Sunday Times’ Style Magazine that he had barely any control over anything, except how he handled his food: “Every area of my life was so regimented and controlled it was the one area where I could say, ‘No, I’m not eating that.’
That was when the star developed an eating disorder. Zayn then left the band and pursued a solo career, but he soon found himself with crippling anxiety. He lost his confidence and suffered with immense panic attacks, which forced him to cancel his live shows.
However, after taking time off to spend with his loved ones, Zayn’s eating disorder and anxiety were put behind him and are now “demons of the past.”
5. Leonardo DiCaprio
Suffers from: OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
It’s no secret that many Hollywood stars have their own mental health issues—but very few legends like Leonardo DiCaprio are brave enough to open up about them. The actor suffers from such severe OCD, that it caused disruption on the set of his movies.
According to The Struggling Warrior, the actor first realized he struggled with this health condition when he was just 11-years-old. He would force himself to touch certain items a number of times, or knock on wood three times before leaving a room—to avoid feeling anxious.
In 2005, he discussed battling the illness during his time on the set of Aviator: “My thing was not stepping on cracks, or not stepping on certain things. Sometimes it took me 10 minutes to get to the set because I’d be pacing back and forth, stepping on gum stains.” Today, the actor is in a much better place with the help of medication and therapy.
6. Miley Cyrus
Suffers from: Depression, anxiety
You’d never think a confident popstar like Miley Cyrus ever deals with mental health issues, but in fact, this controversial celebrity has endured some tough times when it comes to her emotions.
Addressing her bout of depression, Miley told Elle in 2014 that she used to “lock herself in her room” and her dad had to “break the door down.” Miley said, “it was a lot to do with, like, I had really bad skin, and I felt really bullied because of that. But I never was depressed because of the way someone else made me feel, I just was depressed.”
In 2021 at Milwaukee’s Summerfest, Miley felt a panic attack coming on while she was on-stage, but instead of hiding away from her feelings, she addressed it with her audience. Blaming it on the Covid-19 lockdowns, Miley said, “Being on stage used to feel like being at home, and it doesn’t anymore because of how much time I spent at home locked away. And this is very drastic.” Plenty of fans immediately took to Twitter to applaud Miley on her candid honesty.
7. Dwayne Johnson
Suffers from: Depression
Even a former pro wrestler feels weak at times. Indeed, this “macho” man has bravely admitted to wrestling with his mental health.
The first time Dwayne Johnson experienced depression was when he was just 18 years old. Explaining on “The Pivot” podcast, Dwayne said that he “didn’t know what mental health was” at the time: “I didn’t know what depression was. I just knew I didn’t want to be there.”
Realizing the emotional turmoil he was in, Dwayne reached out to close family and friends for help. “Asking for help is not a weakness,” he told Men’s Health. “As a matter of fact, asking for help is our superpower.” Today, Dwanye continues to open up about his struggles with mental health and is a great advocate for men across the globe.
8. Emma Stone
Suffers from: Anxiety
Emma Stone told Rolling Stone in 2016 that she first experienced anxiety when she was a young child. “I could barely get out the door to school,” the Oscar-winning actress revealed.
Recalling a tough moment in her childhood, Emma said she was sitting at her friend’s house when she felt like the entire house was on fire, and panicked that she was about to die: “Not a hallucination, just a tightening in my chest, feeling I couldn’t breathe, like the world was going to end. There were some flare-ups like that, but my anxiety was constant.”
As she’s grown, the Hollywood star has managed to control these emotions through therapy, but does use her feelings to channel particular characters in her movies. That said, Emma speaks out on how she handles anxiety, and proves that regardless of how famous you are, you still have the same issues as everyone else. “I’ve told a lot of younger people that struggle with anxiety, that in many ways I see it as kind of a superpower,” she told NPR.
9. Robin Williams
Suffered from: Depression, dementia
The world was taken aback when Robin Williams sadly cut his own life short in 2014. Following his death, it came to light through an autopsy on his brain that the Hollywood icon was suffering from Lewy body dementia (LBD): a disease which triggers depression, paranoia, hallucinations and tremors.
Detailing his father’s battle with depression, Zak, Robin’s son told The Genius Life podcast in 2021, “There was just more anxiety and depression and just things he was experiencing and talking to me about that made me realize he was very uncomfortable.” Zak added, “I wanted to be there for him on a daily basis. I really wanted to because it can be really isolating, even if you’re with family and loved ones.”
While Robin’s death was a shock to many, it created awareness around dementia, particularly LBD and how it can affect someone’s mental health.
10. Ryan Reynolds
Suffers from: Anxiety
Comedy and confidence may come to mind when you think of this actor. But behind the scenes, Ryan Reynolds constantly battles with anxiety.
In fact, Ryan has struggled with anxiety his entire life, and told CBS in 2022 that talk shows are a big trigger for him, making him feel extremely nervous: “I remember, I’d be standing backstage before the curtain would open,” the Deadpool star continued, “and I would think to myself, ‘I’m gonna die. I’m literally gonna die here.”
During Mental Health Awareness Month in 2021, Ryan shared on Instagram: “To all those like me who overschedule, overthink, overwork, over-worry and over-everything, please know you’re not alone.” Revealing his coping mechanism, Ryan later explained to PageSix, “I certainly have my own little rituals and those kinds of things that help me stay grounded and keep my mind from spinning out of control.”
11. Nicki Minaj
Suffers from: Anxiety
Nicki Minaj had a rough upbringing. With an addict father who tried killing her mother by burning down the house, her day-to-day life was far from normal. To survive, Nicki found escape by channeling different characters, including Harajuku Barbie, which is now her famous alter-ego.
To escape her childhood trauma, Nicki pursued her dream of becoming a star, but the journey was a lot tougher than expected. After receiving a handful of knockbacks, Nicki revealed to Cosmopolitan that she experienced suicidal thoughts: “At one point, I was, like, ‘What would happen if I just didn’t wake up?’ That’s how I felt. Like maybe I should just take my life?'”
Thankfully Nicki found her way to the top and managed to push through the demons. Speaking out about mental health at the MTV VMAs, Nicki said, “I wish people took mental health seriously, even for the people who you think have the perfect lives.”
12. Selena Gomez
Suffers from: Anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder
Selena Gomez always speaks candidly about her mental health challenges. After being diagnosed with lupus, the star suffered bouts of anxiety, depression and panic attacks. Having later sought professional help, the actress/singer was then diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
From taking breaks from work to going to treatment centers, Selena even admitted to considering suicide at one point: “I thought the world would be better if I wasn’t there,” she told Rolling Stone in 2022. The artist revealed to Vanity Fair in 2024 that she is now “properly medicated” and her “healing mechanism” has been using cold water and space heaters. “I remind myself that I’m okay,” she explained. “I ground myself for a moment. ‘Where am I? I’m sitting down in the office. Everybody that I love is out there. There’s food. I can get something to eat. I can take a nap here before I leave.”
Selena now uses her own experiences to advocate for mental health by co-running Wondermind, a platform that aims on promoting a healthy mind; and launching Mental Health 101 with Rare Beauty.
13. Brad Pitt
Suffers from: Depression
Hollywood actors shine on the red carpet, but behind the scenes, it can feel dark and lonely. Sadly, that is the case for stars like Brad Pitt.
During an interview with GQ in 2022, Brad revealed that he spent years suffering with depression: “I think I spent years with a low-grade depression, and it’s not until coming to terms with that, trying to embrace all sides of self—the beauty and the ugly—that I’ve been able to catch those moments of joy.”
Following his split from Angelina Jolie, Brad felt extreme loneliness and spent almost a year and a half in rehab for alcohol addiction. “The fact is, we all carry pain, grief and loss,” Pitt told The New York Times in 2019. “We spend most of our time hiding it, but it’s there, it’s in you. So you open up those boxes…” Since then, the A-list actor has adopted a healthier lifestyle and has even quit smoking.
14. Katy Perry
Suffers from: Depression
In a 2020 interview with Gail King on CBS This Morning, Katy Perry candidly spoke about her mental health struggles. After breaking up with Orlando Bloom in 2017 (who is now her husband and baby daddy) and following the failure of her album, Witness, Katy said she became “clinically depressed.”
After suffering heartbreak and feeling like her career wasn’t meeting her “own personal expectations,” Katy revealed, “I wasn’t even having bouts of depression, it was like I could not get out bed.” The singer also disclosed her momentary thoughts of suicide, saying, “I was fantasizing about not being around.”
Katy’s only route out was through therapy and medication, although she felt “ashamed” about it: “I was so ashamed about being on medication because I was like: ‘I wrote Firework,'” she explained to Zane Lowe. “But it was one of those things where I’d sprained my brain a little bit.”
15. Demi Lovato
Suffered from: Bipolar disorder, eating disorder, depression and addiction
Demi Lovato openly speaks about her health struggles, including her battles with bulimia, bipolar disorder, and addiction. Having entered the limelight at such a young age, fame has been hard on this popstar, causing several adverse illnesses.
From suffering from depression as a child; being admitted to rehab for drug addiction at 18-years-old; and later being diagnosed with an eating and bipolar disorder, Demi’s heavy lifestyle ended up taking a toll on her body. The young star was whisked away to receive professional care.
She later relapsed and returned to rehab in 2018, following her breakup with Wilmer Valderamma. Since her recovery, the celebrity has become a mental health advocate and is stronger than ever, continuing to share her story and inspire others in a similar situation.
16. Justin Bieber
Suffers from: Depression and anxiety
Having been famous since his early teens, Justin Bieber was constantly on a high and enjoying a luxurious lifestyle. But it all became too much when it triggered a chain of wrongdoings—and a break down. “I found myself doing things that I was so ashamed of, being super-promiscuous and stuff, and I think I used Xanax because I was so ashamed,” he told Vogue in 2019.
Bieber got real about depression in a tell-all Instagram post: “It’s hard to get out of bed in the morning … when it feels like there’s trouble after trouble after trouble. You start foreseeing the day through lenses of ‘dread’ and anticipate another bad day. A cycle of feeling disappointment after disappointment…” he wrote.
Justin also shared his mental health struggles in his documentary series, Justin Bieber: Next Chapter, where he discussed having suicidal thoughts: “There were times when I was really, really suicidal. Really like, ‘Man, is this pain ever gonna go away?’ It was so consistent. The pain was so consistent. I was just suffering … like, ‘Man, I would rather not feel this than feel this.”
To encourage others who are experiencing a similar pain, Bieber said, “If you’re feeling lonely, talk about it. Say it out loud. There’s a freedom in that. I could have avoided a lot of pain.”
17. Johnny Depp
Suffers from: Anxiety, depression, addiction
With an alleged “abusive” and “violent” mother, Johnny Depp admitted during his 2022 defamation trial against Amber Heard that he had a challenging childhood. The experience greatly impacted this celebrity’s mental health, and he coped by indulging in drugs and alcohol.
The A-list actor admitted to experiencing an extremely “dark time” while filming What’s Eating Gilbert Grape back in 1993, as well as a sense of depression after he starred in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. During his libel trial against News Group Newspapers in 2020, it was revealed that Johnny had been diagnosed with ADHD, depression and chronic substance abuse during his days of trying to get sober.
Depp was later admitted into rehab and therapy so he could better himself, and is now past all of his suffering.
18. Camila Cabello
Suffers from: Anxiety, OCD
This celebrity has also faced some troubles when it comes to her mental wellbeing. Camila Cabello told Cosmopolitan in 2018 that she suffers from OCD. “Everybody has different ways of handling stress. And, for me, if I get really stressed about something, I’ll start to have the same thought over and over again, and no matter how many times I get to the resolution, I feel like something bad is about to happen if I don’t keep thinking about it,” she said.
Following life-changing events like her departure from Fifth Harmony and her public break-up with Shawn Mendes, Camilla admitted to having “paralyzing” anxiety: “There was a time where my anxiety felt so bad, I was like, ‘I don’t feel like I can go in the studio. I don’t feel like I can work…it’s just a paralyzing feeling.”
Camila continued, “My life was so bad and so painful that I was like, ‘If you tell me that eating sh*t off the ground will make me feel better, I will do it.'”
19. Shawn Mendes
Suffers from: Anxiety
Even performers like Shawn Mendes are constantly battling with anxiety. Not only has the artist written an entire song (In My Blood) about his mental health, but he also opened up about it to Zane Lowe in 2018: “It was kind of something that hit me last year. Growing up, I was a pretty calm kid. I knew people who suffered from anxiety, found it kind of hard to understand, and then when it hits you, you’re like, Oh my god, this is crazy…”
In 2022, Shawn was forced to cancel a number of shows on his Monster tour after life on the road took a toll on him. His announcement on Instagram wrote, “I started this tour excited to finally get back to playing live after a long break due to the pandemic, but the reality is I was not at all ready for how difficult touring would be after this time away….”
The star continued, “After speaking more with my team and working with an incredible group of health professionals, it has become more clear that I need to take the time I’ve never taken personally, to ground myself and come back stronger. We were hopeful that I might be able to pick up with the rest of the dates after some much needed time off, but at this time I have to put my health as my first priority.”
20. Millie Bobby Brown
Suffers from: Anxiety
A high level of fame at a young age can be tough, and one actress who has experienced it all firsthand, is Stranger Things star, Millie Bobby Brown. The child actress (who is now in her twenties), has opened up about fame and how it negatively affects her mental health.
“The influence of social media and the press had a negative effect on my mental health and anxiety is still a huge battle I’m dealing with today,” she confessed at Glamour’s 2023 Women of the Year Awards. She continued by telling her fans, “Luckily, with the love and support from my friends and family, I feel strong enough. I do not feel alone anymore.”
In 2025, the actress also disclosed her struggles with socializing: “I don’t have many friends, because of who I am. I didn’t go to school, so I don’t have the best social skills when it comes to people my own age and friendships. I struggle with that quite a bit.” Thankfully, Millie has said she is now “working through them.”
21. Kanye West
Suffers from: Bipolar disorder
In 2016, Kanye West was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after being hospitalized for his mental health. It’s not a disability, it’s a superpower,” he told Big Boi in 2018. Sharing his experience with David Letterman, Kanye said, “When you’re in this state, you’re hyper-paranoid about everything… Everyone is now an actor. Everything’s a conspiracy. You pretty much don’t trust anyone.”
However, in 2025, Kanye revealed that he was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder, and has now been diagnosed as autistic.
The rapper’s mental health has come under increased scrutiny in recent years, following controversies like his racial rants and bizarre presidential bids.
22. Heath Ledger
Suffered from: Depression, anxiety, insomnia, addiction
Heath Ledger was an extraordinary actor, but behind the scenes, he was suffering deeply, falling into depression and battling a range of mental heath issues.
Described as a “very sensitive man” by those close to him, Heath Ledger was “exhausted, emotionally and physically” while battling pneumonia during his final days. “He was desperately unhappy, desperately sad,” Ledger’s friend said.
Detailing his struggles with insomnia whilst filming The Dark Knight, Heath told the New York Times: “Last week I probably slept an average of two hours a night. … I couldn’t stop thinking. My body was exhausted, and my mind was still going.” Sadly, the Oscar-winning actor’s reliance on prescription medication led to an overdose and his accidental death at the age of 28.
23. Jim Carrey
Suffers from: Depression and ADHD
Though he may appear bubbly on-screen, behind the scenes, Jim Carrey struggles with his mental health. The comedian suffers from lifelong depression and has also been diagnosed with ADHD.
In 2018, he told The Herald Sun, “Depression is caused by your body and your psyche becoming exhausted with who you are trying to portray in the world.”
Thankfully, the actor has learned to manage his depression, telling the i [via Indian Express], “At this point, I don’t have depression. There is not an experience of depression. I had that for years, but now, when the rain comes, it rains, but it doesn’t stay. It doesn’t stay long enough to immerse me and drown me anymore.”
24. Mariah Carey
Suffers from: Bipolar disorder
For years, Mariah Carey kept her diagnosis of bipolar disorder a secret. Opening up about her condition, Mariah told People in 2018, “Until recently I lived in denial and isolation and in constant fear someone would expose me. It was too heavy a burden to carry and I simply couldn’t do that anymore.”
The icon revealed that before being officially diagnosed with BP, she was struggling with periods of depression and hypomania, and initially thought she had a severe sleep disorder. “I guess my depressive episodes were characterized by having very low energy. I would feel so lonely and sad..,” she added.
However, Mariah now has her mental health under control; “I sought and received treatment, I put positive people around me and I got back to doing what I love — writing songs and making music.”
25. Lizzo
Suffers from: Depression and anxiety
Her songs may be full of empowerment and positivity, but Lizzo is yet another celebrity who struggles with their mental health. Back in 2019, the About That Time singer discussed her worries of rejection and feeling depressed:
“The day I released ‘Truth Hurts’ was probably one of the darkest days I’ve had ever in my career. I remember thinking, ‘If I quit music now, nobody would notice. This is my best song ever, and nobody cares.’ I was like, ‘F–k it, I’m done.’”
The hitmaker also been candid about her mental health struggles on Instagram. In 2019, she shared, “I’m depressed and there’s no one I can talk to because there’s nothing anyone can do about it. Life hurts.” But thankfully, in 2024, Lizzo reassured fans by saying she was free of her mental battles: “The strange thing about depression is you don’t know you’re in it until you’re out of it. I’m definitely not all the way as carefree as I used to be.. But the dark cloud that followed me every day is finally clearing up.”
As you can see, mental health is no joke and it can affect anyone—no matter how rich and famous you are. These celebrities might have the funds to seek adequate help, but with plenty of crisis helplines and healthcare across the world, you too can overcome your mental health issues by talking to someone.
Can you relate to anyone in our list of celebrities with mental health struggles? Let us know by leaving a comment in the section below…
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