In an age of unprecedented access to celebrities and their lives, it can be easy to forget that some of these personalities are human too. In reality, many celebrities struggle with mental health issues, borderline personality disorder being one of them.
As a condition, BPD can be particularly difficult for any person to manage, let alone someone who is constantly in the spotlight. To better understand this condition and raise awareness of the debilitating effects it can have, we decided to take a look at some of the celebrities with BPD who have spoken openly about their struggles and are trying to cope with it.
Read on for the specifics.
Famous People with BPD
Research has revealed that approximately 1.6% of Americans suffer from borderline personality disorder.
As an illness, borderline personality disorder is characterized by an intense fear of abandonment, unstable relationships, problems with self-image and identity, impulsivity, depression, and occasional bursts of inappropriate anger. Typically patients with BPD have a history of abuse, trauma, and neglect during childhood.
Below is a list of celebrities diagnosed with borderline personality disorder who have spoken openly about their illness.
Angelina Jolie
Academy Award winner, humanitarian, and former Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Angelina Jolie, tops our list of celebs with BPD because she has been very transparent about her struggles with it and has even spoken out on how it affects her life.
In the 1990s, Jolie checked herself into a mental health institution because she was having homicidal and suicidal ideations, where she was diagnosed with BPD.
Amber Heard
The ex-wife of Johnny Depp, who is on our list of celebrity drug addicts, actress Amber Heard displays all the symptoms of BPD, including mood swings, rage, dissociation, and paranoia, all of which came to light during the famous defamation trial Depp Vs Heard.
In fact, she joined the group of celebs with borderline personality disorder when a forensic psychologist met her and reviewed the case files from the Johnny Depp defamation trial.
Ricky Williams
Despite his success on the football field, the former professional American football player has faced significant challenges in regulating his emotions, maintaining stable relationships, and managing impulsive behaviors. Since his retirement, Williams admitted to being diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, avoidance disorder, and BPD.
His public acknowledgment at the time made him one of the few black celebrities with BPD, which not only helped shed light on the importance of mental health awareness but also on the fact BPD is an illness that doesn’t discriminate.
Mikey Welsh
When it comes to borderline personality disorder celebrities, the case of the former bassist of the band Weezer is one worth mentioning, as struggles with the disorder were known to affect his relationships, emotions, and self-image.
In one of his interviews, he said: “Being undiagnosed as having bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and BPD finally caught up to me when I was 30 years old”. Sadly, Welsh passed away in 2011 from heart failure following a drug overdose.
Madison Bailey
The talented actress, known for her roles in popular TV shows like Outer Banks, is another one of the BPD celebrities who has been open about her struggles. Bailey was diagnosed with BPD when she was 17 and has been working on figuring out how to manage it on a day-by-day basis.
By speaking openly about her experience, and the importance of self-education and identifying triggers, Bailey has not only become an advocate for mental health awareness but has encouraged other people and celebrities with depression and other mental disorders to seek help.
Anna Nicole Smith
Model, actress, and television personality, Anna Nicole Smith was not only addicted to prescription medication and one of the many celebrity alcoholics, but she also suffered from a borderline personality disorder, according to what a hospital psychiatrist told a court.
Smith’s struggles with BPD were well-documented in the media, including her tumultuous relationships and battles with addiction. Despite her public persona and success, Smith’s personal struggles with mental health ultimately contributed to her untimely death in 2007.
Brandon Marshall
The former professional football player is another one of the many celebrities with BPD who has been a prominent advocate for mental health awareness. Through his foundation, Project 375, Marshall has worked to provide resources and support to individuals affected by mental health conditions.
Marshall’s journey as a role model for young people and among the famous characters with BPD, made him go through intense mood swings, impulsive behavior, and difficulty in maintaining stable relationships.
Despite facing adversity, the athlete sought treatment and dedicated himself to raising awareness about BPD and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health.
Pete Davidson
SNL comedian and actor Pete Davidson has been candid about his personal struggles with borderline personality disorder and has responded to criticism from people judging him about dating.
He has used his platform to raise awareness about people and celebrities diagnosed with BPD. In one of his comments, he says that just because he’s a famous person with a mental illness, it doesn’t mean he can’t be happy or in a relationship.
Pete Doherty
The English musician and songwriter, known for his work with the bands The Libertines and Babyshambles, is one of the celebrities who struggle with BPD daily but also with issues such as impulsiveness, shame, excessive anger, and volatile relationships.
Doherty, who dated one of our top celebrities who smoke cigarettes, Kate Moss, was criticized by the media for trying to sell paintings done in his own blood. According to reports, Pete has put his partying days in the past and now lives a quiet life in Marlborough.
Marsha Linehan
Last on our list of celebrities with BPD is the renowned psychologist, researcher, and creator of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a widely recognized and effective treatment for this mental disorder.
What makes Linehan’s story unique is that she herself has experienced the challenges of BPD firsthand. Linehan openly shares her personal journey, including self-harm, suicidal ideation, and intense emotional turmoil.
Her struggles led her to develop DBT, a therapeutic approach that combines elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness to help individuals manage their emotions, improve relationships, and build a life worth living.
Female Celebrities with Borderline Personality Disorder
Since the 1980s, when personality disorders were introduced in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, data has been indicating that BPD may be more prevalent among women. Namely, statistics indicate that around 75% of individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder are women.
To give you an insight into the personal journeys of female celebrities with BPD, who are also the majority among celebrities with BPD, we compiled a list of the most famous women in history and the entertainment industry who have struggled with it.
And while some of the women on our list have not been officially diagnosed with BPD, the data is based on observations, and testimonies stemming from interviews, biographies, and other sources.
Courtney Love
Rock musician, songwriter, and actress, Courtney Love, has been seen as having borderline sociopathic traits, lack of empathy, and overall narcissistic behavior. She has self-harmed since her teenage years and has been called a psychopath on numerous occasions.
According to reports, she not only fits the category of famous musicians with a borderline personality disorder but, unofficially, Love’s diagnosis falls under the histrionic personality disorder
Princess Diana
The late Princess of Wales, beloved worldwide for her charisma, and humanitarian efforts, continues to captivate the public years after her tragic passing.
Beyond Lady D’s glamorous image, however, there has been speculation about the possibility that she may have experienced BPD, with reports of intense mood swings, impulsive behavior, fear of abandonment, and self-harm tendencies being used as evidence for her diagnosis.
According to an unofficial background check, the royal family was informed that Diana was diagnosed with BPD in her early 20s. However, her mental illness was met with skepticism, as it was a relatively new term at the time.
Amy Winehouse
When it comes to singers with BPD, the case of talented and influential British singer-songwriter, Amy Winehouse is one that shows how tragic the consequences of this disorder can be.
Winehouse opened up in interviews about her struggle with depression, self-harm, and drug use, which she used as a way to cope with her mental health issues. She also experienced violent mood swings and had several destructive relationships, which are common symptoms of BPD.
Mariah Carey
Multi-platinum international superstar, Mariah Carey, who has had a long and successful career in the music industry, is among the many celebs diagnosed with BPD. Carey received an official diagnosis for the first time in 2011, following a physical and mental breakdown that resulted in her hospitalization.
In following interviews, the singer said that even though she didn’t want to believe her diagnosis at first, now that she is in therapy and taking medication for bipolar II, she is doing much better.
Britney Spears
The globally recognized pop icon, who is also on our list of famous sexual offenders, has been at the center of intense media scrutiny and public fascination throughout her career. While there have been various speculations about her mental health, unofficially, the singer is suffering from bipolar disorder.
In 2008, Britney was hospitalized after locking herself in a bathroom and refusing to give her two kids back to her ex-husband, Kevin Federline, who had been granted full custody over them. After that, Britney was placed under a conservatorship, which granted legal control over her personal and financial affairs to her father and a team of professionals.
Sinead O’Connor
The Irish singer and songwriter, famous for her hit Nothing Compares 2 U, has openly discussed her diagnosis of BPD. O’Connor’s battles with BPD became more apparent in the late 1990s when she admitted that she had been struggling with depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts.
She even wrote about the time she spent in mental health institutions in her memoir My Story. Like Mariah Carey and other female celebrities with BPD, O’Connor has continued to pursue her music career, creating powerful and deeply personal songs that resonate with her audience.
Marilyn Monroe
The iconic Hollywood actress, known for her beauty and talent, was probably one of the most influential women of the 1950s and a symbol of sexual revolution.
However, under that glamorous image was a person who struggled with terrible nightmares and constant insomnia, drug abuse, and overall unstable mental health, which puts her on our list of the most famous people with personality disorders.
And even though Merilyn was never formally diagnosed, her experiences and behavior indicate she was probably suffering from bipolar disorder.
Famous People with Borderline Personality Disorder in History
Diagnosing historical figures with mental health conditions is speculative and often based on retrospective analysis. However, there have been many discussions and speculations about certain historical figures who may have exhibited behaviors or characteristics associated with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).
Here’s a list of several historical figures with borderline personality disorder who have been mentioned in those discussions.
Vincent van Gogh
Throughout the years, the Dutch painter has been labeled as an alcoholic, prescription medicine addict, and even one of the most famous people with schizophrenia.
However, it has also been suggested that the renowned painter displayed symptoms consistent with BPD, including intense emotions, turbulent relationships, and impulsive behavior.
Frida Kahlo
The Mexican artist is another one of the famous individuals with BPD behavior. Her art often explored themes of identity, pain, and emotional turmoil, which some interpret as reflections of BPD symptoms.
Virginia Woolf
The English writer and novelist struggled with mental health issues throughout her life. Her writings and personal experiences have led to retrospective speculation about a possible BPD diagnosis.
Sylvia Plath
Plath’s work and personal life have not only sparked discussions about BPD but her intense emotions, unstable relationships, and self-destructive tendencies are often cited as potential indicators. There is also her suicide which is believed to have been triggered by her BPD.
Anne Sexton
The renowned American poet battled depression and underwent therapy. Some interpretations of her poetry suggest a potential connection to BPD.
Final Words
From Angelina Jolie and Pete Davidson to Princess Diana and poet Silvia Plath, the world has seen many ordinary people, influential figures, and celebrities with BPD.
Even though there are many successful people with BPD who are able to cope with their symptoms through therapy, medications, and support from loved ones, it’s important to remember that not everyone is as lucky.
