Public Spark

Last year I wrote a blog about what depression is and the possible treatments is. This week will focus on famous people who have or had depression and treatments that have worked for them. Today’s blog describes some actors and entertainers who have suffered from depression.

• Mike Wallace

  He is a news journalist and correspondent of TV show “60 Minutes.” He was diagnosed with clinical depression in 1984 and had a series of severe depressive episodes. Mike Wallace attributed recovery to therapy and antidepressant medications.

• Brooke Shields

  She began her career as a Calvin Klein jean model and is an actress, starring in shows such as “The Blue Lagoon,” “Endless Love,” and “Suddenly Susan.” She suffered from postpartum depression soon after the birth of her son, Rowan. She reveals in her book “Down came the Rain” the struggles she felt from not being able to bond with her son.

• Jim Carrey

  He is a comedian well known for his roles in popular movies, “Ace Ventura, Pet Detective,” “the Mask,” “Liar Liar,” “The Truman show.” On the 60 minutes program that aired in November 2004, Jim Carrey openly discussed his struggles with depression. He was on prozac, an antidepressant medication at one point, but has now turned to spirituality to help him cope.

• Ellen DeGeneres

  She is a comedian, actress in TV show “Ellen,” movie “Finding Nemo” and star of popular talk show, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” DeGeneres reportedly went through depression for about a year shortly after the cancellation of her show “Ellen.”

• Lorraine Bracco

  She is best known for her role as the psychiatrist on “The Sopranos.” Lorraine Bracco discussed how she overcame her depression through antidepressants and talk therapy.

• Drew Barrymore

  She is an actress, who starred in major films such as “The Wedding Singer,” “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” and director/producer (e.g. “Charlie’s Angels,” “Ever After”). Barrymore has a depression history that includes a suicide attempt and being hospitalized.

• Roseanne Barr

  She is a comedian and actress best known for her role in the sitcom “Roseanne.” She openly announced being diagnosed with depression and has been hospitalized. Her treatment included both psychotherapy and antidepressants.

• Rosie O’Donnell

  She starred in great movies such as “A League of their own,” “Sleepless in Seattle,” and starred in her own talk show, “The Rosie O’Donnell Show.” She first felt depressed as a child and has continued to have problems as an adult. She reports taking antidepressant medication as well as using inversion therapy to help control her depression.

• Drew Carey

  He is a popular comedian and host of the Price is Right. He reported feeling depressant for a long time and had suicide attempts at the age of 18 and again in his 20’s. When talking about how he overcame his depression, Carey said, “I learned how to believe in myself. Learned how to set goals, you know, self help books, man. I just read every single one I can get a hold of and I still do. I read that stuff all the time still. I am always coming out bigger, better, stronger and happier.”

• Hugh Laurie

  He is a British actor, well known for his role as Dr. Grey House in the medical drama House. He revealed that he was suffering from depression, due to his grueling film schedule and being away from his family. He sought assistance from therapy.

References:

• Wikipedia

• Depression Guide

• Stampout Stigma

• About.com

• Depression Help Resource