Celebrities With Depression: The Reality Behind Fame

You’ve probably come across an article or two about celebrities with depression. Regardless of how you feel about these celebrities, it’s undeniable that this type of lifestyle can result in a range of mental health consequences. No amount of money or fame can protect you from experiencing anxiety, depression, panic attacks, or any other mental health condition. Exposure to public opinion and harsh online comments can only worsen it for people who have become public figures due to their career choice.

If you feel like the burden of this lifestyle is becoming too heavy to carry, this article is for you. We’ll discuss reasons why celebrities experience depression, how it affects them and their careers, and how to seek help.

What Leads Celebrities Into Depression?

It’s not to say that being famous immediately means you have to experience depression as well. However, this lifestyle can expose you to factors you wouldn’t experience in other careers. An accountant will probably not have to deal with thousands of anonymous Internet users sharing opinions about their work performance, looks, or love life. As a celebrity, you run a serious risk of exposing everything you wish to keep private to strangers.

Becoming wealthy doesn’t mean all your insecurities, childhood traumas, and fears have disappeared. If you were insecure before fame, you will most likely continue feeling the same way. You might even start experiencing the lack of support in your life or from the general public, as many people wrongly assume that rich people don’t deserve to complain about their problems. What they do forget is that professional success doesn’t guarantee well-being.

Another issue you might encounter is feeling like you shouldn’t complain because you’re enjoying more benefits than ever. However, this guilt will limit your ability to build genuine relationships in your personal and professional life. You can love your job but still be unhappy with its results.

Going back to our example from above, an accountant needs to be of a certain age before they start working. You have to finish school and get an accounting degree, which means you wouldn’t be able to work underage. In the entertainment industry, we can see actors, models, and singers performing from a very young age.

The Olsen twins – a hit sensation as infants – growing up under the spotlight! Millie Bobby Brown was 12 years old when she filmed Stranger Things and became famous worldwide. Willow Smith was featured in Billboard’s 21 Under 21 list at 9. Growing up in the spotlight and encountering negative criticism and comments from a young age can significantly impact one’s mental health.

Depression Signs in Celebrities

As much as depression signs in celebrities will not differ from those of non-famous people, they might be ignored. You might start feeling unmotivated to get out of your bed, yet your busy schedule and so many people depending on you could make you overlook the early signs of depression. Being financially responsible for your family can also lead to being used and everyone else having their needs above yours.

Here are some signs of depression to help you decide:

Notable weight gain or loss
Frequently appearing worn out, disheveled, or withdrawn from your usual look
Canceling interviews, concerts, or public appearances
Going silent on social media for extended periods
Avoiding paparazzi and red carpet events
Tearfulness during interviews or unexpected moments
Being irritable, impatient, or overly subdued in public
Feeling hopelessness or being “empty”
Delaying or abandoning projects without clear explanations
Turning down roles, tours, or collaborations you were once excited about
Struggling to focus, answer questions, or engage in conversations
Feeling overwhelmed by fame or life

If you’re experiencing any of these signs, this doesn’t imply that you should be diagnosed with depression. However, it would be best to reach out to a trusted mental health professional who can assess the situation and suggest the best treatment and support for you.

Mental Health Support for Celebrities

As a celebrity, you will probably want to seek mental health support away from the public eye, which can be challenging sometimes. Luckily, there are many more options now than ten years ago.

If your schedule is too hectic, you might benefit from visiting a walk-in therapy clinic, which offers confidential visits without long booking waits. If you prefer to find a trusted therapist and work with them more than just once, you can find someone who offers private office therapy. These types of therapists typically work in a secure, non-public location, as their clients are mostly celebrities and public figures.

If you’d be more comfortable talking to a professional in your home, you can request at-home therapy sessions. A therapist can come to your home or hotel room at an agreed time and provide support and guidance that way.

You can opt for phone therapy, text therapy, or video therapy, which are the most common remote and flexible options among all clients. Some people find it more comfortable to talk to their therapist over video, while others might feel less pressure with email or text therapy.

Depending on the amount of your free time and the seriousness of your condition, consider a VIP mental health center or a retreat gateway. Mental health practices such as these offer anonymity and personalized text programs, while retreats can differ in time, audience type, and theme.

Your Healing Can Inspire Others

As a public person, you can help bring awareness to depression and mental health issues in celebrities. You can even inspire your fanbase to take better care of themselves. To heal and find joy, ask for help and speak up if you need to. Selena Gomez has spoken on this topic many times, G-Eazy discusses his mental health in his music, and Jim Carrey has spoken openly about emotional turmoil.

The point is that how you feel is nothing to be ashamed of. Once you start taking proper care of yourself, you will have more capacity to love and help others. It will also positively impact your career and prepare you for a fulfilling future.

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexibility multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) who has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists helps all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do.