[Manic] Depression Confessions: Ricci and Gibson
![christina%20ricci[1].jpg](http://trouble.philadelphiaweekly.com/archives/christina%2520ricci%5B1%5D.jpg)
In 2007 and 2008, many celebrities have come out of the closet about struggling with mental illness.
Just a brief rundown:
- Delta Burke (serious clinical depression)
- Patrick Dempsey (depression, for about two days)
- Alicia Keys (depression)
- Drew Carey (depression)
- Fall-Out Boy’s Pete Wentz (manic-depression – his words)
- Rebecca Romijn (post-wedding blues)
- Corey Feldman (depression, probably just from being Corey Feldman)
- Kelly Osbourne (depression blamed on too much money. No, seriously.)
- Zach Braff (depression)
- Mandy Moore (depression, hopefully not at the same time)
- Anne Hathaway (anxiety as a teen)
- Rosie O’Donnell (depression)
- Halle Berry (depression spurred by asshole boyfriends).
That’s to say nothing of the old standbys: Axl Rose (bipolar); Margot Kidder (bipolar); Anne Heche (bipolar); Carrie Fisher (bipolar); and Robert Downey Jr. (who the hell knows?)
Trotting out celeb names like this isn’t just a fun party game (which is good, because that would be an unappealing party). It’s actually vaguely meaningful, because you can then say to your friends, “Look, don’t give me any crap about taking meds and seeing my psychiatrist. I might end up hosting The Price Is Right, or starring in the next Marvel superhero adaptation, or making a Grammy Award-winning blockbuster CD.” Or you might want to forget the Price Is Right part. Replacing Bob Barker isn’t so cool.
Celebs who come out of the crazy closet are saying to kids (and adults) that it’s all right to talk about this stuff, that there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Famous people have so much to lose, yet they disclose. So in the interest of further destigmatization and in order to appreciate the celebs who are willing to be frank, let’s examine the latest revelations.
First of all, kudos to Christina Ricci, currently starring in Speed Racer. According to Now magazine, young Ricci fought anorexia and depression in her even younger years:
…the actress, 28, says she overcame her problems with the help of a psychiatrist.‘These are things you can’t always deal with alone, so I went to therapy,’ she tells The Independent. ‘Sometimes people need to seek professional help. Along the way I discovered that you can choose to be happy. If you choose to let go of your self-consciousness and insecurities about physical appearance, then you’ll get to a place where you are present to see the world and enjoy yourself.’
I think that’s admirable coming from a woman whose forehead is larger than my living room.
Less admirable, perhaps, is the revelation from the Sydney Morning Herald that many years ago, Mel Gibson, that wacky Aussie, described himself as “manic depressive.”
Mel Gibson talks about being diagnosed as bipolar in a new documentary about the NIDA acting class of 1977. … "I had really good highs but some very low lows," Gibson said. "I found out recently I'm manic depressive." While the interview dates back to 2002, the actor and director, who made headlines with a drunken outburst two years ago, has rarely talked about the condition.
Rarely? How about never? He probably doesn’t want to get a metaphorical (or literal, now that I think about it) spanking from Tom Cruise and the Scientologists, nor does he want to compromise his rep as … a drunk and anti-Semite.
Mel, if you’re out there, come out of the closet! The National Alliance on Mental Illness has its annual Los Angeles County walk on Oct. 4. It would be perfect for you. Show your pride and give me, a onetime Jewish fan, my faith back.
Comments
My depression was set off by having a good 30 year marriage and living in the south of France. I guess being unknown doesn't count.
I learned today that I might be experiencing Paxil poop-out. Say it isn't so! I guess I should be thankful that there's Zoloft and Prozac available. Now starts the mery-go-round. Good think I've got numerous Choco-Crisp possicles.
Isn't bipolar manic-depression? Doesn't bipolar sound worldly as opposed to manic-depression being insular?
Posted by: Gulley Jimson` | May 16, 2008 05:02 PM
Hi,
This is the first time I leave a comment.
I keep on asking myself why Delta Burke decided to be a key opinion leader of Effexor?
Posted by: Ana | May 17, 2008 07:38 AM
For the most part, I think it's helpful and maybe even destigmatizing to have celebrities admit to suffering from mental illnesses. I've noticed that it's become much more common for celebrities to admit to eating disorders. It probably would be even more helpful and destigmatizing if some admitted to having current struggles with mental illness. Most of the celebrities who discuss mental illness discuss it as something that happened in their past and which they overcame.
I'm a new reader to your blog / youtube site and I have to say I love it.
Posted by: Mari | May 18, 2008 06:03 PM
Good Morning, and thanks for the blog vlog. I just happened on it yesterday, and am very happy to know that I am one of many madwomen out there. I have been through a whole lot, most of it due to my bi-polar disorder along with a dash--ok more than a dash--of PTSD. My illness has led me places I never knew a person could go, and has also stopped me from reaching other spots I now miss. But it's not very boring. More later. Thanks again.
Kitty
Posted by: Kitty Barber | May 19, 2008 09:40 AM
I agree with Mari that celebrities only come out when they've CONQUERED their problem be it drug/alcohol addiction, bulimia, insufferable boorishness, etc. They never come out in the midst of such episodes. Their appearances, after the fact, only implies that we can all indulge in drugs, sex and alcohol while dabbling in PPD, ADD, ADHD, STD's or whatever and come out with a solid footing in life with a new face and wardrobe to boot. I don't want celebrities... I want doctors, lawyers, businessman, politicians, etc. to champion the cause. But then, they're performers as well.
Posted by: Gulley Jimson` | May 20, 2008 02:41 PM
My personal take on it is that *anybody* in the middle of figuring out their mental illness just isn't ready to come out publicly about it. I do agree that it sounds like Ms. Ricci no longer has depression or anorexia; it would be nice to hear from public figures who are currently in "maintenance mode", as in "I have depression and here's what I do on an ongoing basis to make myself a whole person".
Posted by: SusanO | May 20, 2008 09:24 PM
I imagine that the reason celebrities don't come out during their struggles with mental illness is because they suffer from the same guilt and shame we do. They don't want to admit that they are weak.
When the problem is in the past, coming out about it has the opposite effect. It says, "See, look how strong I am! I went through this horrible thing but came out on top!" It's good PR.
I in no way want to invalidate their experiences. I don't hold it against them for not coming forward during their struggles because I understand completely. And I am very glad they are stepping up now and using their celebrity status to fight the stigma against mental illness. They are as human as we are.
Posted by: Rachel | May 21, 2008 11:10 AM