Talking about mental health in India is still considered taboo and not discussed openly in our society. The lack of discourse regarding the impact of mental health struggles has had quite negative consequences on all age groups in recent times. More so, it has impacted students who are already under constant pressure to perform well, first in their academics and then in competitive exams. Not only has it affected students with low grades but it has also affected meritorious students. The recent example of the suicide of NEET AIR 1 speaks volumes and raises concerns about the growing need to address mental health struggles.
This is why we have come up with this blog which talks about 15 famous and successful celebrities who went through mental health challenges at some point in their career, tackled the problem head-on, and emerged victorious. Let’s go through some of the most inspiring stories:
Einstein went through a lot of mental health troubles. He did not like grammar and had difficulty with spelling hinting he had dyslexia.Also, he struggled to express his thoughts and ideas in writing. At the age of 16, Einstein struggled to tie his shoelaces, implying he had dyspraxia. Apart from this, Einstein also had Asperger syndrome, a type of autistic spectrum disorder, makes him socially awkward. Not only this, Einstein had ADHD because not only was he disorganized and forgetful but was equally insightful and intelligent. This tells us that unique and great minds think differently. His story inspires us to embrace our uniqueness and find our strengths.
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One of the greatest inventors of all time, Thomas was labeled “addled” in his childhood by his teacher and classmates. The term addled was used for kids who were slow learners. But his mother played a huge role in his life and didn’t make him feel discouraged. She taught him at home and inspired him to become the best version of himself. This teaches us that everyone is different. Also, we should never be afraid of asking for help or finding a learning method that works for us.
Perfectionist Aamir Khan has been vocal about his challenges with Dyslexia which is also visible in his iconic role in Taare Zameen Par, aimed at raising awareness amongst parents regarding the care a dyslexic child requires. His film has played a huge role in making a lot of parents aware of how a dyslexic child should be treated.
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A few years back, Deepika publicly shared her battle with depression when her personal life was going through a rough patch. Her experience with mental anxiety inspired her to advocate for mental health awareness. She motivated people to reach out to their near and dear ones if they felt low. Talking to someone can make a huge difference.
He was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of 9 and sent to a European school. He did have difficulty reading and writing during his childhood. He has been sharing this story and promoting learning disability awareness groups. His story teaches us that learning difficulties like dyslexia don’t define you. With perseverance, you can achieve great things.
The leading lady of Stree Universe and one of the most successful actors in recent times has been very vocal about her experiences with debilitating anxiety. She raises awareness and makes people aware that anxiety is common and manageable. Seeking help and talking about it can lead to recovery.
The Pop music icon openly discussed his battle with bipolar disorder, which affected his career. He shares his learning with people and tells them the importance of seeking help and speaking out. Mental health support can lead to recovery and success.
Considered one of the greatest inventors of all time who revolutionized our lives way back in the 19th century, Tesla started showing symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) around 1917 when he became obsessed with the number three. He often had an urge to circle a city block three times before entering a building. Despite all the odds, he conquered the mental health challenges and carved a niche in the world of tech innovations alongside the great minds of his contemporary period.
The iconic Olympian and swimmer best known for 28 Olympic medals went through depression in 2004. However, this was just the beginning as his lowest point came after the 2012 Games. He felt so troubled that he sat alone in his bedroom for 3 to 5 days with the urge to end his life. This compelled him to seek help. After he sought treatment and started talking about his feelings, his problems started vanishing.
Rowling is best known for penning down one of the most phenomenal fictional and adventurous novel series based on Harry Potter and his friends. Despite bringing joy to millions, she herself went through despair while writing the magical novels. Her dark moods even inspired her series’ soul-sucking creatures known as Dementors. Dementors became a blessing in disguise and are some of the most feared characters ever created by an author.
Even walking on the moon couldn’t stop Buzz Aldrin from feeling low. The astronaut’s sudden fame after the 1969 moon landing led to his divorce apart from his problems with alcohol and depression. So, Aldrin sought treatment and became chairman of the National Mental Health Association.
The iconic Hollywood actor has been the reason for millions of laughing faces for years. However, even he went through the spell of some dark days. But after going through rounds of mental help, he has learnt to live a very clean and spiritual life. He has become vocal about a life without alcohol and drugs.
One of the greatest American Presidents, Lincoln depended heavily on friends, family, and a trusted doctor to see him through his darkest times. After battling his fight with mental health issues, he fought for slaves and championed the abolition of slavery.
Tolstoy is regarded as one of the most influential authors of all time. Even he had to go through serious personality changes, which made him question the existence of almost everything in his life. There were times when he contemplated giving away all of his possessions and becoming celibate. Not only this, he even became hell bent on giving up writing altogether which is reflected in his saying, “Art is not only useless but even harmful.”
The life of one of the greatest scientists of all time has been a roller-coaster ride. He went through huge ups and downs in his moods, indicating bipolar disorder, paired with psychotic tendencies. He found it really tough to talk to people indicating his struggle with autism. He is also said to have developed a tendency to write letters full of mad delusions, which some medical historians related to schizophrenia. However, these mental health problems did not stop him from inventing calculus, explaining gravity, and building telescopes, among his other great scientific achievements.
Conclusion
These real-life stories will definitely inspire children and parents alike to talk about mental health challenges more openly and work on the remedies together. Taking inspiration from these legendary figures, let’s come together and address the elephant in the room – mental health.
