Quick! What do you think of when you think of Abraham Lincoln? Sixteenth President of the United States? The man who stopped slavery? His humble beginnings? The Gettysburg Address?
You probably don’t think of this: He suffered from depression – depression so severe and incapacitating that he occasionally thought of suicide.
What do you think of when you think of Winston Churchill? That he was one of Britain’s greatest prime ministers? That his stirring leadership and inspiring speeches helped Britain through the terror and fear of WWII?
Did you know he had bi-polar disorder (manic depression) – what he called his ‘black dog’? "Had he been a stable and equable man, he could never have inspired the nation. In 1940, when all the odds were against Britain, a leader of sober judgment might well have concluded that we were finished," wrote author Anthony Storr.
May is National Mental Health Month and a great time to recognize all the talented, creative people who have overcome their illnesses to become our leaders, our entertainers, our inspiration.
George Fredrick Handel, Gustav Mahler, Robert Schumann and Ludwig van Beethoven – all superbly talented musicians and composers – had bi-polar disorders, but their masterpieces will never die.
Charles Dickens, Ernest Hemingway, Eugene O’Neill, Leo Tolstoy, and Tennessee Williams were brilliant authors who have given us images and characters that will remain classics for eternity - and all had clinical depression.
Comedians Drew Carey and Roseanne Barr (they have had depression) and Tracy Ullman (bipolar disorder) manage their illnesses – and very successful careers. And they make us laugh.
Former news icons Mike Wallace (depression) and Jane Pauley (depression and bipolar disorder) didn’t let their illnesses get in the way of the news.
Vivian Leigh of Gone with the Wind fame…bipolar disorder. Linda Hamilton of the Terminator movies…bipolar disorder. Ron Steiger, star of In the Heat of the Night…depression. They’ve brought to life movie characters we’ll never forget.
Ted Turner, businessman and entrepreneur….bipolar disorder.
Teddy Roosevelt, President of the United States…bipolar disorder.
Vincent van Gogh, artist…bipolar disorder.
So let’s give thanks that, despite what you may think, mental illness does not deprive a person of intelligence, creativity, determination or ambition. Our world would be a grayer place without the insight and talent of people with mental illness.
And if you know someone struggling with a mental illness, you can help them realize their potential. Begin by encouraging them to seek treatment. It’s a well-established fact: treatment works.
You probably don’t think of this: He suffered from depression – depression so severe and incapacitating that he occasionally thought of suicide.
What do you think of when you think of Winston Churchill? That he was one of Britain’s greatest prime ministers? That his stirring leadership and inspiring speeches helped Britain through the terror and fear of WWII?
Did you know he had bi-polar disorder (manic depression) – what he called his ‘black dog’? "Had he been a stable and equable man, he could never have inspired the nation. In 1940, when all the odds were against Britain, a leader of sober judgment might well have concluded that we were finished," wrote author Anthony Storr.
May is National Mental Health Month and a great time to recognize all the talented, creative people who have overcome their illnesses to become our leaders, our entertainers, our inspiration.
George Fredrick Handel, Gustav Mahler, Robert Schumann and Ludwig van Beethoven – all superbly talented musicians and composers – had bi-polar disorders, but their masterpieces will never die.
Charles Dickens, Ernest Hemingway, Eugene O’Neill, Leo Tolstoy, and Tennessee Williams were brilliant authors who have given us images and characters that will remain classics for eternity - and all had clinical depression.
Comedians Drew Carey and Roseanne Barr (they have had depression) and Tracy Ullman (bipolar disorder) manage their illnesses – and very successful careers. And they make us laugh.
Former news icons Mike Wallace (depression) and Jane Pauley (depression and bipolar disorder) didn’t let their illnesses get in the way of the news.
Vivian Leigh of Gone with the Wind fame…bipolar disorder. Linda Hamilton of the Terminator movies…bipolar disorder. Ron Steiger, star of In the Heat of the Night…depression. They’ve brought to life movie characters we’ll never forget.
Ted Turner, businessman and entrepreneur….bipolar disorder.
Teddy Roosevelt, President of the United States…bipolar disorder.
Vincent van Gogh, artist…bipolar disorder.
So let’s give thanks that, despite what you may think, mental illness does not deprive a person of intelligence, creativity, determination or ambition. Our world would be a grayer place without the insight and talent of people with mental illness.
And if you know someone struggling with a mental illness, you can help them realize their potential. Begin by encouraging them to seek treatment. It’s a well-established fact: treatment works.
1 comment:
This is an amazing article. I never realized that so many famous people had mental illness. Shows what people can accomplish!
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