20 historical figures who suffered from mental disorders

The presence of mental health problems has been highly stigmatized throughout history, often suffering those who suffered from mental disorders not only the effects of these but also a 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.

• Related article: "The 16 most common mental disorders"

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 in literature, art or science.

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

However, it is necessary to take into account that some disorder has been attributed to some of the figures of which there is no total 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 at a certain time was or was not considered a mental disorder.

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

1. Martin Luther King

Influential figures such as Martin Luther King also suffered serious problems. In the case of this pastor and activist politician, 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 to several suicide attempts after the death of his grandmother, but he managed to overcome them. He also suffered from them during his stage of political activism, something that did not stop him when it came to fighting for civil rights.

Of course, the context of someone who lives constantly besieged by pressure groups and even gangs of organized violence 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 kind of psychological problem throughout his life.

This author, as proposed by various researchers, suffered obsessive compulsive disorder and phobia of dirt.

• You may be interested in: "Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): what is it and how does it manifest itself?"

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 of him had a difficult life and 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. life, manifesting on various occasions the presence of thoughts of death and suicide (although over the years he would achieve a certain improvement).

4. Salvador Dali

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

5. Robert Schuman

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 while.

At present, however, it is considered more likely that he suffered from bipolar disorder with psychotic symptoms: he had periods when he suffered episodes depressive, although at other times he devoted himself exhaustively and passionately to compositions of great value (probably in manic episodes 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 deaths 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: 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 various ailments (including atherosclerosis).

In fact, the neurophysiologist and psychiatrist Vladimir Béjterev came to diagnose him and try 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 undervalued despite being one of the smartest celebrities of the time, this well-known actress suffered different hardships throughout her lifeof her, which led her to suffer from 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

This well-known President of the United States suffered towards the end of his life from one of the most cruel and frequent neurodegenerative diseases in the elderly: Alzheimer's disease.

Little by little, the former president was losing 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 was frequent, specifically insomnia very recurring.

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

10. Elizabeth of Bavaria

Isabella of Bavaria, also known as Sissí, 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 her family, her politics and excessive pomposity, conservatism and rigidity From life at court, he suffered frequent depressions, especially after the death of his son. She used cocaine as an antidepressant, something common at the time.

Among the various alterations of him, one of the most prominent was his eating problems. The empress expressed great concern to keep her weight under control, eating very poorly and performing strenuous exercise sessions.

It is believed that he suffered from bulimia and anorexia nervosa., something that greatly deteriorated his state of health and damaged 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 he suffered deep depressions (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 have been reported, although the change to mania was mainly caused by alcohol consumption.

There was also speculation during his life with the possible existence of epilepsy. His suffering and discomfort can be seen in his work, 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, he designed the largest seaplane of his time, although this would not become employee).

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 that is based on his life, The Aviator, this man suffered 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.

• You may be interested in: "Addiction: disease or learning disorder?"

14. Nicholas 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 underwent alterations psychic.

Specifically, existing data seems to indicate that today he could have been diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD, apparently numerological in nature. He engaged in a large number of compulsive behaviors and rituals, generally associated with the number three and multiples of it.

He also suffered visual hallucinations, as well as germ and jewelry phobia.

15. Winston Churchill

The well-known British Prime Minister, First Lord of the Admiralty and a key figure in the Allied Forces during the Second World War (as well as also a Nobel Prize for Literature), he also suffered from one of the most frequent mental disorders even today: major depression (at that time, melancholia).

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

16. Edvard Munch

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

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

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

17. Ernst Hemingway

One of the great authors of the 20th century and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, Ernst Hemingway also suffered from a severe mental health problem. Specifically, the author of The old man and the sea he suffered major depression, triggered by various problems throughout his 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 ultimately committed suicide by shooting himself in the head.

18. Vincent van Gogh

One of the best-known painters of Post-Impressionism and of those for whom the presence of psychic alterations is most well known is Vincent Van Gogh. This artist, author of great paintings such as The starry Night either The dockers of Arles, he suffered serious mental problems that led him to tear off part of the lobe of one ear after a fight with an acquaintance.

The painter he voluntarily secluded himself in various psychiatric hospitals (at that time, asylums).

There are many diagnoses that have been assigned to her, some of them linking her 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 she is related to is 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 way of expression centered on the interior monologue in which to achieve a balance between the rational and the irrational, as it is one of the most relevant figures of British modernism and for exploring and defending the rights of women (she being a relevant figure of feminism).

the author of Mrs. Dalloway, Waves either Orlando, among other works, he suffered throughout his life numerous depressive episodes 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 more recent historical figures (who passed away during 2015) on this list is the 1994 Nobel Prize in Economics, John Forbes Nash.

This great mathematician of American origin, who was honored 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 movie 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 who was persecuted by communists from the Soviet Union and the Vatican.

He also had ideas that he believed that the men with red ties were communists against him, as well as that the New York Times reflected coded alien messages, and he had various problems for behaviors considered erratic and regressive

After several apparently unsuccessful treatments and according to him he was aging and fighting against his hallucinations, delusions and other symptoms, little by little he was achieving a partial recovery that allowed him to return to work in research and teaching and he even abandoned the treatment (although despite what the literature seems to show, it indicated that he did not feel fully recovered).

The scientific contributions of this man 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.