20 Stars Who Revealed Hidden Mental Health Battles

As a huge movie fan, it’s easy to get caught up in the perceived perfection of celebrity lives – all the red carpets and awards. But what’s often hidden is that many of these incredibly famous people are actually dealing with really tough mental health struggles. It’s been amazing to see so many of them bravely open up about their personal experiences. Honestly, it’s incredibly powerful because it helps break down the stigma around mental health and encourages others to reach out for the support they deserve.

Dwayne Johnson

I just learned a lot more about Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson than I expected while watching his recent interviews. Everyone knows him as this incredibly physically imposing, charismatic guy, but he’s been surprisingly open about a really tough period in his life. Apparently, when his football career was cut short by injuries, he spiraled into a serious depression. What’s even more heartbreaking, he witnessed his mother’s suicide attempt, something that clearly haunted him for years. It’s powerful to see him now using his massive platform to encourage men to talk about their feelings and mental health – a really important message, and it makes you appreciate him as a person even more.

Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez, who started her career on Disney Channel, has publicly discussed her bipolar disorder. She also experiences anxiety and depression related to her lupus. To share her experiences and promote understanding, she created the documentary ‘My Mind & Me’. Through her work, she also founded the Rare Impact Fund, which aims to improve access to mental health resources.

Ryan Reynolds

Ryan Reynolds, known for his role in ‘Deadpool,’ often uses humor to cope with severe anxiety he’s experienced throughout his life. He’s shared that he frequently feels shaky before interviews and talk show appearances. He explains that his anxiety feels like a different part of himself that takes over when he’s stressed, acting as a defense mechanism. By being open about his struggles, he’s helped many of his fans feel less alone with their own anxiety.

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a sexual assault early in her career. She lives with ongoing pain and emotional trauma, which she addresses through therapy and medication. Dedicated to helping others, she created the Born This Way Foundation to promote the well-being and empowerment of young people. By openly sharing her experiences, she hopes to build a more compassionate and courageous world for those facing similar difficulties.

Kristen Bell

Though she seems cheerful and energetic on camera, Bell has dealt with depression and anxiety since college. She takes daily medication and is a strong advocate for treating mental health with the same care as physical health. Knowing her mother and grandmother also struggled with similar chemical imbalances helped her understand her own condition. She’s also dedicated to breaking down the stigma around antidepressants and seeking therapy.

Adele

After having her son, the singer Adele struggled with severe postpartum depression. She felt intensely connected to her baby but also doubted her abilities as a mother. It was difficult for her to talk about these feelings with friends at first, but she found it helped to share her experiences. By speaking openly, Adele has encouraged other mothers facing similar challenges to know they’re not alone.

Jonah Hill

Hill has decided to stop doing publicity for his movies to prioritize his mental health. He’s struggled with anxiety for almost two decades, and public appearances make it worse. He made the documentary ‘Stutz’ to share helpful strategies he learned in therapy with others. This choice shows how important it is to protect your own well-being by setting limits.

Emma Stone

Emma Stone, an Academy Award-winning actress, first experienced panic attacks when she was just seven years old. Growing up, she coped with intense anxiety through therapy and acting. She describes her anxiety as a monster that becomes less frightening when she faces it directly, rather than trying to ignore it. Stone’s achievements demonstrate that anxiety doesn’t have to prevent anyone from reaching their goals.

Mariah Carey

For years, Mariah Carey struggled with bipolar II disorder but didn’t realize what was happening. She went through times of deep sadness and periods of high energy with symptoms like irritability and trouble sleeping. After a challenging period, she began treatment and now manages her condition with medication. Carey decided to share her experience to relieve the stress of keeping it hidden.

Shawn Mendes

Canadian singer Shawn Mendes has canceled his world tour to focus on his mental well-being. He’d been struggling with intense pressure to be perfect and found the challenges of touring very difficult. Mendes has been in therapy to manage his anxiety, which had become overwhelming throughout his career. His decision highlights the importance of prioritizing health over work.

Sophie Turner

Growing up while everyone watched me on ‘Game of Thrones’ was really tough. I dealt with a lot of harsh criticism online, and honestly, it led to some really dark times with depression and how I saw myself. Thankfully, therapy and the incredible support of my partner helped me through it all. Now, I’m really passionate about speaking up for mental health and letting others know about the potential dangers of social media. It’s something I feel strongly about.

Pete Davidson

The comedian has openly discussed his borderline personality disorder. He began seeking help after years of dealing with depression and angry outbursts, and now uses therapy to manage his condition. He also incorporates his mental health journey into his comedy, which helps to raise awareness and understanding of this often-misunderstood disorder.

Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson has openly shared her own struggles with depression and anxiety, which she says worsened during menopause. Driven by her experiences, she created the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation to offer mental health resources to the Black community. She strongly believes it’s crucial to find a therapist who understands and respects Black culture for the best results. Ultimately, her goal is to remove the shame and stigma surrounding mental health within Black communities.

Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck has struggled with both alcoholism and depression for many years. He sees his addiction not as a primary problem, but as a way he’s tried to cope with underlying emotional pain. Having gone to rehab several times, he’s open about how challenging it is to stay sober. His experiences highlight that addiction is a long-term battle, and overcoming it requires a lot of strength and perseverance.

Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato has openly shared her experiences with overcoming overdoses and managing bipolar and eating disorders. Through her music and documentaries, she honestly portrays the challenges of addiction and the journey to recovery, stressing that it’s not always easy and requires ongoing effort and self-compassion. This honesty has made her an important voice in raising awareness about mental health.

Katy Perry

After her album didn’t succeed as hoped, Perry experienced a period of depression. She felt deeply discouraged and worked hard to rebuild her self-esteem. She found help through the Hoffman Process, a retreat designed to help people understand and change unhealthy patterns. Now, Perry makes her mental health just as important as her music, to ensure a healthy balance in her life.

Chris Evans

Chris Evans, the actor who plays Captain America, almost didn’t take the role because he was very anxious. He worried that the huge amount of attention from the Marvel movies would ruin his personal life and happiness. After talking through his concerns with a therapist and his family, he decided to accept the part. He still deals with anxiety but has found ways to manage it while continuing to thrive in his Hollywood career.

Bella Hadid

The supermodel recently posted photos showing her crying, explaining that she’s been dealing with long-term anxiety. She shared that the pressures of the fashion industry have led to periods of intense sadness and exhaustion. To prioritize her well-being and rediscover herself, she took a break from social media. Her posts serve as a reminder that people often present a carefully curated image online, masking the difficulties they’re truly facing.

Kit Harington

After ‘Game of Thrones’ ended, Harington sought help at a wellness retreat. He was dealing with a lot of pressure from the show’s success and found it difficult to adjust to life without its routine. He also worked through some issues with alcohol and prioritized his mental health in a private environment. Now, he’s back to acting and is focused on being a father and staying sober.

Britney Spears

Britney Spears has hinted at the difficult experiences she had during the 13 years she was under a conservatorship. During a court hearing, she shared that she was forced to take medication and go to therapy when she didn’t want to. Now that she’s free, she’s working through the pain of her past and openly expressing her feelings. Her strength has inspired people around the world and brought attention to the possibility of abuse within legal guardianship arrangements.

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2025-11-21 03:17