Both ancient and modern famous figures have suffered from depression.

Mental health issues have affected people throughout history, regardless of their era, background, or social status.

Some well-known individuals who struggled with depression include:

Ancient figures

1. Heraclitus (c. 535 – c. 475 BCE) – The Greek philosopher, known for his doctrine of change (“everything flows”), was called the “weeping philosopher” due to his melancholic nature.
2. Hippocrates (c. 460 – c. 370 BCE) – The father of modern medicine described “melancholia,” an early term for depression, and believed it was caused by an imbalance of bodily fluids.
3. Demosthenes (384–322 BCE) – The Athenian orator and statesman struggled with self-doubt, anxiety, and periods of melancholy.
4. Lucretius (c. 99 – c. 55 BCE) – A Roman poet and philosopher, he wrote De Rerum Natura (On the Nature of Things), which explores existential themes and human suffering. Some sources suggest he suffered from depression or insanity.
5. Emperor Tiberius (42 BCE – 37 CE) – The Roman emperor was known for his reclusiveness, sadness, and overall melancholic behavior, which became especially prevalent later in life.
6. Seneca (4 BCE–65 CE) – The Stoic philosopher and advisor to Nero wrote extensively about suffering, emotions, and suicide, suggesting personal struggles with depression.
7. Pliny the Elder (23–79 CE) – The Roman author and naturalist described melancholia in his writings and may have experienced it himself.
8. Emperor Nero (37 – 68 CE) – The Roman emperor showed signs of extreme mood swings, paranoia, and possible depressive episodes, particularly in his later years.
9. Marcus Aurelius (121 – 180 CE) – The Stoic philosopher and Roman Emperor wrote about his struggles with anxiety and sadness in Meditations, a work filled with his reflections on suffering and endurance.
10. Boethius (c. 477 – 524 CE) – A philosopher who wrote The Consolation of Philosophy while in prison, reflecting on fate, suffering, and inner turmoil, possibly linked to depression.
11. Al-Razi (Rhazes) (865 – 925 CE) – A Persian physician and philosopher who wrote about melancholia (an early term for depression) and described its symptoms in detail.
12. Avicenna (Ibn Sina) (980–1037 CE) – The Persian physician and philosopher wrote about melancholia and mental disorders, possibly based on his own experiences.
13. Al-Ghazali (1058–1111 CE) – The Islamic philosopher and theologian described existential crises and spiritual struggles, which some interpret as depressive episodes.

Modern figures

1. Michelangelo (1475–1564) – The Renaissance artist suffered from mood swings, isolation, and deep depression, often writing letters about his despair.
2. Isaac Newton (1643–1727) – The famous physicist experienced deep depression, self-doubt, and long periods of withdrawal from society.
3. Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) – The satirist, best known for Gulliver’s Travels, suffered from melancholia in his later years.
4. Robert Burns (1759–1796) – The Scottish poet struggled with bouts of depression and heavy drinking.
5. Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827) – The composer suffered from severe mood swings and depressive episodes that were worsened by his progressive deafness.
6. John Keats (1795–1821) – The Romantic poet, who died young of tuberculosis, wrote poetry filled with sorrow and despair, reflecting his struggles.
7. Hans Christian Andersen (1805–1875) – The fairy tale writer of The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling faced rejection, loneliness, and severe depression.
8. Edgar Allan Poe (1809 – 1849) – The famous poet and writer experienced lifelong struggles with depression, alcohol abuse, and personal losses.
9. Abraham Lincoln (1809 – 1865) – The late U.S. president suffered from what was then called “melancholy.” Friends noted his bouts of sadness and pessimism, and he experienced major personal losses.
10. Charles Darwin (1809 – 1882) – The scientist behind the theory of evolution battled anxiety and depression, possibly linked to chronic illness and the burden of his discoveries.
11. Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821 – 1881) – The Russian novelist dealt with depression, epilepsy, and extreme financial struggles. These themes are reflected in his works.
12. Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910) – The author of War and Peace and Anna Karenina struggled with existential crises and long periods of depression.
13. Mark Twain (1835–1910) – The American writer suffered deep depression, especially after the deaths of his wife and children.
14. Vincent van Gogh (1853 – 1890) – The Dutch painter experienced extreme mood swings, depression, and possibly bipolar disorder that contributed to his struggles and eventual suicide.
15. Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965) – Churchill referred to his depressive episodes as his “Black Dog.” Despite his leadership in WWII, he suffered from periods of deep despair.
16. Virginia Woolf (1882 – 1941) – The famous writer battled severe depression and eventually took her own life. Many believe she suffered from bipolar disorder.
17. Franz Kafka (1883 – 1924) – The writer of The Metamorphosis suffered from anxiety, self-doubt, and periods of deep depression.
18. Ernest Hemingway (1899 – 1961) – The famous author battled lifelong depression and alcoholism, ultimately taking his own life.
19. Howard Hughes (1905–1976) – The billionaire aviator and filmmaker experienced extreme OCD and depression, leading to reclusive behavior.
20. Vivien Leigh (1913–1967) – The Gone with the Wind actress suffered from bipolar disorder and severe depressive episodes.
21. Judy Garland (1922–1969) – The Wizard of Oz actress battled depression, addiction, and self-destructive behavior.
22. Anne Sexton (1928–1974) – The Pulitzer Prize-winning poet openly wrote about her depression and eventually took her own life.
23. Sylvia Plath (1932 – 1963) – A poet who wrote about her struggles with depression in The Bell Jar before dying by suicide.
24. Bruce Springsteen (1949 – …) – The legendary musician has spoken about his experiences with prolonged periods of depression and the importance of seeking help through therapy and support systems.
25. Robin Williams (1951 – 2014) – The beloved comedian and actor struggled with severe depression and was later diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disorder called Lewy body dementia.
26. Anthony Bourdain (1956 – 2018) – The celebrity chef and author was open about his mental health struggles before his passing.
27. David Foster Wallace (1962–2008) – The writer of Infinite Jest struggled with lifelong depression and ultimately died by suicide.
28. Jim Carrey (1962 – …) – Known for his comedic roles, Carrey has been open about his long-term battle with depression and the steps he’s taken toward healing, including therapy and lifestyle changes.
29. Kurt Cobain (1967 – 1994) – The Nirvana frontman struggled with depression, addiction, and fame before his tragic death.
30. Jon Hamm (1971 – …) – The Mad Men star has discussed experiencing chronic depression, particularly after the death of his father, and has highlighted the benefits of therapy and medication.
31. Dwayne Johnson (1972 – …) – The actor and former professional wrestler has been candid about his battles with depression, emphasizing the importance of seeking help and speaking out.
32. Kristen Bell (1980 – …) – Known for her roles in Veronica Mars and Frozen, Bell has shared her struggles with anxiety and depression, advocating for mental health awareness.
33. Chester Bennington (1976 – 2017) – The Linkin Park singer suffered from depression and childhood trauma, which influenced his music.
34. Chris Evans (1981 – …) – Famous for portraying Captain America, Evans has opened up about dealing with depression and anxiety, noting that these challenges have been part of his life.
35. Katy Perry (1984 – …) – The pop star has revealed her struggles with depression, particularly during challenging times in her career, and has emphasized the importance of mental health care.
36. Michael Phelps (1985 – …) – One of the most decorated Olympians in history has openly discussed his struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts, advocating for mental health awareness and the importance of seeking help.

Why did they suffer from depression?

As some may already know, depression can be caused by various factors, including:

1. Genetics – Some individuals may be biologically predisposed to mood disorders.
2. Trauma and loss – Many of these people experienced personal tragedies, war, or societal pressure.
3. Mental health disorders – Conditions like bipolar disorder and anxiety often accompany depression.
4. Loneliness and isolation – Leaders, artists, and intellectuals sometimes feel misunderstood or isolated from the rest of the world.
5. Substance abuse and lifestyle – Some individuals, like Van Gogh and Churchill, used alcohol to cope with their struggles.
6. Chronic illness and pain – Figures like Darwin and Beethoven had physical health struggles.
7. Intellectual and creative minds – Many artists, writers, and thinkers experience deep emotions, self-doubt, and perfectionism.

Conclusion

Despite their struggles, many of these figures made meaningful contributions to history, art, and society.

That’s why we shouldn’t let depression dictate our lives, because we’re more than simply our psychological battles.