20 Historical Figures Who Suffered Mental Disorders

The presence of mental health problems has been highly stigmatized throughout history often those who suffered from mental disorders suffered not only the effects of these but also great rejection by society.

Problems such as depression, bipolar disorder, addictions or schizophrenia are not a new phenomenon, but have been present throughout history. And although sometimes these problems are made invisible and hidden, the truth is that even great figures in history have experienced them firsthand.

In order to improve awareness and normalization of mental health problems, throughout this article we are going to review several historical figures who presented mental disorders or whose behavior has been attributed to them.

Historical figures who presented mental disorders

In the following lines we will see about twenty historical figures who suffered from mental disorders, among which we can find highly known names from literature, art or science

Many of them were diagnosed with modern methods, while in other cases it is considered that they suffered through the analysis of their behavior or testimonies or written records from the time in which they lived.

However, it is necessary to take into account that some of the figures have been attributed some disorder of which there is no complete certainty that they had: It is not possible to diagnose someone who cannot be evaluated and about which there is not enough information.

Even in some cases where there was a medical diagnosis, It is necessary to take into account the limitations of the time in which they lived They can alter the conclusions that can be drawn, as well as what was or was not considered a mental disorder at a certain time.

Finally, it should be noted that many diagnostic labels have changed over time or have even disappeared or have been divided into different disorders, so what they were diagnosed with then may be very different from what would be considered today.

1. Martin Luther King

Influential figures such as Martin Luther King also suffered serious problems. In the case of this pastor and political activist, who fought against racial segregation and for equality between whites and blacks, Throughout his life he suffered various episodes of depression

In his youth, some of them led him to have several suicide attempts after the death of his grandmother, but he managed to overcome them. He also suffered them during his period of political activism, something that did not stop him from fighting for civil rights.

Of course, the context of someone who lives constantly under siege by pressure groups and even organized violence gangs greatly favors the appearance of disorders such as depression; We should not understand this phenomenon as something that arises spontaneously in the individual.

2.Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens is another of the great authors who have suffered some type of psychological problem throughout his life.

This author, according to various researchers, He suffered from obsessive compulsive disorder and a phobia of dirt

3. Abraham Lincoln

One of the most admired presidents of the United States is Abraham Lincoln, famous among other achievements for the abolition of slavery and for ending the American Civil War. But although his achievements were many, the 16th president of the United States He had a difficult life marked by the death of many of his loved ones

He was known for his melancholic thinking, and according to various researchers he suffered from recurring depression for much of his life, expressing on several occasions the presence of thoughts of death and suicide (although over the years he would achieve some improvement).

4. Salvador Dali

This great artist and one of the great representatives of surrealism suffered from Parkinson’s disease towards the end of his life, as well as a depression derived not only from this condition but also from the death of his muse, Gala Éluard Dalí

5. Robert Schumann

One of the most important German composers of romanticism, Robert Schumann suffered from what was then called Dementia praecox, later known as schizophrenia He saw visions related to religious figures, both angelic and demonic. He was hospitalized for a time.

Nowadays, however, it is considered more likely that he suffered from bipolar disorder with psychotic symptoms: he had periods in which he suffered from depressive episodes, although at other times he dedicated himself exhaustively and passionately to creating compositions of great value (probably in episodes manic or hypomanic).

6. Joseph Stalin

This Russian dictator, although he played an important role in the defeat of the Nazis in World War II, is also responsible for the death of millions of Russians, political dissidents and even allies, during his well-known purges.

And although at present we cannot make a firm diagnosis as there is little data we have regarding his physical and mental health, the existing data seems to reflect the existence of a high level of paranoia which possibly contributed to many of these purges being carried out: the dictator ordered the death or imprisonment of a large number of people, including one of his personal guards or different doctors who treated and diagnosed him with different ailments ( including atherosclerosis).

In fact, the neurophysiologist and psychiatrist Vladimir Béjterev even diagnosed him with and tried to treat him with severe paranoia. Two days later, said neurologist and psychiatrist was found dead.

7. Marilyn Monroe

Considered one of the most attractive women in the world, and often underrated despite being one of the most intelligent celebrities of the time, This well-known actress suffered different difficulties throughout her life which led her to suffer problems such as severe depression and anxiety, which led her to be temporarily admitted to a psychiatric hospital.

Likewise, he developed a problematic relationship with alcohol and other substances.

8. Ronald Reagan

Towards the end of his life, this well-known president of the United States suffered one of the cruelest and most common neurodegenerative diseases in the elderly: Alzheimer’s disease

Little by little, the former president was losing his faculties and was even unable to recognize his loved ones.

9. Franz Kafka

Despite having few published works, Kafka is one of the classic authors of universal literature. The author, among other great works of Metamorphosis He also suffered different mental health problems.

Throughout his life The existence of sleep disturbances, specifically insomnia, was common very recurrent.

He is also considered to have suffered from depression, as well as social phobia and anxiety. Although there is no absolute agreement, based on his works, the records that exist regarding his behavior and some notes by the author himself have led some authors to consider that the author could have suffered from schizoid personality disorder.

10. Elizabeth of Bavaria

Elizabeth of Bavaria, also known as Sissi, was one of the last great empresses of Europe specifically from Austria and Hungary.

This powerful woman, of great intelligence and culture and known for her rebellion, also suffered serious disorders throughout her life.

The empress, who would have severe difficulties and conflicts with his in-laws and with excessive pomposity, conservatism and rigidity From life at court, he suffered frequent depression, especially after the death of his son. He used cocaine as an antidepressant, something common at the time.

Among his various alterations, one of the most notable was his eating problems. The empress expressed great concern about keeping her weight under control, eating poorly and carrying out strenuous exercise sessions.

It is believed that she suffered from bulimia and anorexia nervosa something that greatly deteriorated his state of health and harmed his depressive state.

11. Edgar Allan Poe

If we think of an author especially known for his horror stories and gothic style novels, probably one of the first names that will come to mind will be Edgar Allan Poe.

This author had a difficult and tortuous life, marked by losses and suffered deep depression (especially after the death of his wife from tuberculosis), as well as dependence on alcohol and other substances such as opium.

The presence of bipolar disorder is not ruled out Sudden changes in mood were reported, although the turn to mania was mainly produced by alcohol consumption.

There was also speculation during his life about the possible existence of epilepsy. His suffering and discomfort can be seen in his work, which is often pessimistic about life.

12.Howard Hughes

Howard Hughes is a particularly relevant historical figure in the field of aviation, being a pioneer who designed and implemented a large number of improvements that allowed the creation and served as inspiration for the creation of various types and models of aircraft (in fact, designed the largest seaplane of its time, although it would not be used).

He was also a skilled aviator and possibly the richest man of his generation (he is considered the first billionaire).

As expressed in the film based on his life, The Aviatorthis man suffered from severe obsessive compulsive disorder with obsessions and compulsions linked to the fear of germs.

13.Elvis Presley

The king of rock also had mental health problems. Specifically, this great musician suffered a significant addiction to various psychoactive substances such as cocaine, amphetamines and barbiturates, used to treat the depression he suffered from.

14. Nikola Tesla

This very important scientist, especially known for his work in the field of electromagnetism (thanks to which we can have electric light through alternating current, having developed the first induction of this type of current) and inventor of the generator that bears his last name, is also another of the great historical figures who suffered psychic alterations.

Specifically, existing data seem to indicate that today could have been diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder or OCD, apparently of a numerological nature He carried out a large number of compulsive behaviors and rituals, generally linked to the number three and its multiples.

He also suffered visual hallucinations as well as a phobia of germs and jewelry.

15. Winston Churchill

The well-known British Prime Minister, First Lord of the Admiralty and key figure in the Allied Forces during the Second World War (as well as a Nobel Prize winner in

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), also suffered from one of the most common mental disorders even today: depression. older (back then, melancholy).

Throughout his entire life, this politician suffered different severe depressive episodes which he himself called his “black dog”, with whom he had to fight often. Likewise, he took refuge in alcohol. Despite this, he managed to lead a country with firm leadership in a turbulent time.

16. Edvard Munch

The painter of the famous painting “The Scream” is another important figure in the art world who suffered mental problems. Specifically, he was hospitalized on numerous occasions for problems such as alcoholism, depressive-type emotional problems and hallucinations.

Munch himself admitted that his problems were part of his art and even made descriptions of the hallucinations he suffered (the painting “The Scream” is inspired by one).

The exact condition of this painter is the subject of debate, but mainly the possible presence of schizophrenia (an illness that was diagnosed in one of his sisters), depression with psychotic symptoms or bipolar disorder is discussed.

17. Ernst Hemingway

One of the great authors of the 20th century and winner of the Nobel Prize in

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, Ernst Hemingway also suffered a severe mental health problem. Specifically, the author of The old man and the sea suffered major depression, triggered by various problems throughout your life

The author tried to treat himself and underwent electroconvulsive therapy, but in his case it was not effective and also caused memory disturbances. He eventually committed suicide by shooting himself in the head.

18. Vincent Van Gogh

One of the best-known painters of post-impressionism and the one most known for the presence of psychic alterations is Vincent Van Gogh. This artist, author of great paintings such as The starry Night either The dockers of Arlessuffered serious mental problems that led him to tear off part of his earlobe after a fight with an acquaintance.

The painter He voluntarily confined himself to several psychiatric hospitals (at that time, asylums).

There are many diagnoses that have been assigned to him, some of them linking his alterations to medical illnesses and others attributing them to disorders such as epilepsy (which was diagnosed), alcoholism or schizophrenia (there is also talk of intermittent psychosis).

However, one of the explanations and diagnoses that most frequently It is related to the presence of bipolar disorder

19. Virginia Woolf

This great writer and literary critic of British origin is known for breaking with the realism of her time to find a form of expression centered on the internal monologue in which to achieve a balance between the rational and the irrational, for being one of the most relevant to British modernism and for exploring and defending women’s rights (being a relevant figure of feminism).

The author of Mrs. Dalloway, Waves either orlandoamong other works, He suffered numerous depressive episodes throughout his life along with other episodes in which his mood changed radically: different experts consider that this important figure suffered from bipolar disorder.

20. John Nash

One of the most recent historical figures (who died during 2015) on this list is the 1994 Nobel Prize winner in Economics, John Forbes Nash.

This great mathematician of American origin, who was awarded for his contributions in economics (among them he contributed greatly to the development of game theory) and whose story inspired the well-known novel and film An amazing mind, He was initially diagnosed with paranoia and later with paranoid schizophrenia at McLean Hospital.

This author felt that he was the victim of a conspiracy perpetrated by the Soviet Union and the communists, and suffered auditory hallucinations. For a time he considered himself a messenger, a religious figure which was persecuted by communists from the Soviet Union and the Vatican.

He also had ideas in which he believed that the men with red ribbons were communists against him, as well as that the New York Times reflected coded alien messages, and he had various problems due to behavior considered erratic and regressive.

After several apparently unsuccessful treatments and as he aged and struggled with his hallucinations, delusions and other symptoms, little by little he achieved a partial recovery that allowed him to return to work in research and teaching and even abandoned the treatment (although Despite what the literature seems to show, he himself indicated that he did not feel fully recovered).

This man’s scientific contributions were many not only in mathematics but also and is a symbol of hope for many people who see in it a reflection that mental illness does not have to make success impossible.