What Famous People With Depression Have Said About The Condition

Medically reviewed by Karen Foster, LPC
Updated October 8, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team
Content warning: Please be advised, the below article might mention trauma-related topics that include suicide which could be triggering to the reader. If you or someone you love is having suicidal thoughts, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Support is available 24/7. Please also see our Get Help Now page for more immediate resources.

Depression affects people of all levels of socioeconomic class, race, gender, and background. Celebrities are no different: some famous people have struggled with depression over the years, and many have been open about their experiences. 

Some have used their public platform to educate and bring attention to the importance of mental health and wellness. Raising awareness about the stigma, symptoms, and available treatments of depression may help others living with the condition to seek treatment and find comfort in knowing they are not alone.

From actors, musicians, and celebrities, here are some notable quotes from those who have spoken about this condition.

Anyone can experience symptoms of depression

Pink

Pink has been honest about seeing a therapist since she was 22. As an advocate for mental health, she states, “I believe in self-confrontation and just getting things out. What I love about therapy is that they’ll tell you what your blind spots are. Although that’s uncomfortable and painful, it gives you something to work with.”

Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande opened up about depression on Instagram by expressing a quote. She said, “Depression is your body saying, ‘I don’t want to be this character anymore. I don’t want to hold up this avatar that you’ve created in the world. It’s too much for me.”

Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder stated the following about her experience with depression: "You can't pay enough money to cure that feeling of being broken and confused. It's not like every day's been great ever since. You have good days and bad days, and depression's something that, y'know, is always with you." 

Glenn Close

Glenn Close has stated that she was diagnosed with depression in 2008. About the illness, she says, “I felt this inertia that would come over me … You think of something, and it just seems too much, too hard. That’s how it manifested in me.”

Halle Berry

"I was sitting in my car, and I knew the gas was coming when I had an image of my mother finding me. She sacrificed so much for her children, and to end my life* would be an incredibly selfish thing to do. My sense of worth was so low. I had to reprogram myself to see the good in me. Because someone didn't love me didn't mean I was unlovable. That's what the break-up of my marriage reduced me to. It took away my self-esteem. It beat me down to the lowest of lows."

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga described how debilitating depression can be when she wrote, "I was angry, cynical and had this deep sadness like an anchor dragging everywhere I go. I just didn't feel like fighting anymore. I didn't feel like standing up for myself one more time - to one more person who lied to me. I felt like I was dying - my light completely out."

Adele

Adele has also been open about her struggles with depression. She states, “I’m very available to depression. I can slip in and out of it quite easily. It started when my granddad died, when I was about ten, and while I never had a suicidal thought, I have been in therapy, lots.” She also went on to struggle with post-partum depression after the birth of her son, which was frightening to her. However, she found support in talking to other parents about their experiences.

Kristen Bell

Kristen Bell had much to say about depression: "For me, depression is not sadness. It’s not having a bad day and needing a hug. It gave me a complete and utter sense of isolation and loneliness. Its debilitation was all-consuming, and it shut down my mental circuit board. I felt worthless, like I had nothing to offer, like I was a failure. Now, after seeking help, I can see that those thoughts, of course, couldn’t have been more wrong.”

Anyone can experience symptoms of depression

Get support for depression symptoms in therapy

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating depression. Everyone experiences symptoms differently, but it is possible to find relief for those feelings of sadness, loneliness, and hopelessness. Connecting with an experienced online therapist can help you explore what might be causing your depression symptoms and establish strategies to help you manage them.

If you are concerned about depression symptoms, connecting with an online therapist may be beneficial. Research suggests that online therapy can be as effective as traditional in-person counseling for treating symptoms of depression and anxiety. Online therapy can be a convenient way to get the help you need without leaving home. You can connect with your therapist virtually to discuss your concerns and get the support you need.

Takeaway

Depression is a mental illness that can affect people of any age, gender, and social class. It even affects many highly accomplished people, from athletes like Michael Phelps to actors like Jim Carrey. It is not something that only affects a certain group – anyone can experience its debilitating symptoms. If you are living with depression, you don’t have to face it alone. With BetterHelp, you can be matched with a licensed therapist experienced in treating depression to help you cope with your symptoms.
Depression is treatable, and you're not alone
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