Fifty lives · Seven fields · One condition
Some of history's greatest minds lived between soaring highs and crushing lows.
From Beethoven's manic symphonies to Carrie Fisher's fearless honesty, bipolar disorder — once called manic depression — has shadowed some of the most creative and consequential people who ever lived.
Every biography here was written by our own researcher, and every portrait hand-drawn by our own artist. Choose a name below and step into their story.
The full gallery
Famous people thought to have had bipolar disorder
Entrepreneurs
4 biographies
Sporting Stars
3 biographies
Most read
Popular biographies
Axl Rose
Diagnosed in 1989, the Guns N' Roses frontman rejected lithium — and the label itself.
Jimi Hendrix
The greatest guitarist of all time, and the moods that may have shaped his music.
Sting
From The Police to solo stardom — Gordon Sumner's own account of dark depressions.
Jim Carrey
Comedy's most elastic face has spoken openly about depression and medication.
Stuck in a depressive episode right now?
It's rough — but you're not alone. Many of the greatest minds in history stood exactly where you're standing, and they made it through. A depressive episode feels endless, but it is temporary. Take it one day at a time. The people in this gallery went on to do extraordinary things, and their stories are proof of what's possible on the other side of a low.
If you're struggling, please reach out to a doctor, a mental health professional, or a crisis line in your country. This site is here for inspiration and information — not a substitute for real support.