We talk a lot about how dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) can help with a range of mental disorders, but especially borderline personality disorder (BPD). BPD isn’t often in the same discussion as much of the mental health discussion focusing on anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. Borderline personality disorder has one of the strongest stigmas around it to this day. It should have more of a focus, especially since many celebrities also have this disorder. Here are all of the famous people living with BPD, many of which have gotten help from DBT borderline personality disorder treatment!
Pete Davidson is a comedian on Saturday Night Live. Some people have said Davidson shouldn’t be dating due to his BPD diagnosis, which he responded to say, “just because someone has a mental illness does not mean they can’t be happy, and in a relationship”.
Brandon Marshall is an NFL wide receiver that has been very vocal about his BPD diagnosis. Since he announced his diagnosis he has been receiving treatment. He’s also rose awareness and understanding of the illness. Marshall has stated he hopes to reduce the stigma around BPD. He’s set up a charity to help the cause, as well as worn clothing in support of Mental Illness Awareness Month and donated money to mental health charities.
Darrell Hammond is another comedian who was a cast member on SNL. Hammond revealed in 2011 that his mother had severely abused him as a child. This childhood trauma led to self-harm and diagnoses of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and borderline personality disorder.
If you’ve ever received DBT treatment, no doubt you’ve heard of Dr. Marsha M. Linehan before. She’s the creator of dialectical behavioral therapy! As a child, she got a diagnosis of schizophrenia and went through ECT. However, she believes she really has DBT. Her initial diagnoses led her to a career in psychiatry and many people have benefited from her creating her form of psychotherapy.
Ricky Williams is a former NFL running back. Williams has been open about his struggles with social anxiety disorder, BPD, and avoidance disorder. He said it was difficult to cope with during his football career and often led to him running away from fans, refusing interviews, or doing them with his helmet on.
Mikey Welsh is a musician that was the former bassist of the band Weezer. He ultimately retired after suffering a severe nervous breakdown. He once said, “basically, a lifetime of doing drugs and being undiagnosed as having bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and borderline personality disorder finally caught up to me when I was 30 years old.”. Unfortunately, in 2011 Welsh died of heart failure from a drug overdose.
Although it cannot be confirmed since he has passed away, many believe that the famous artist Vincent van Gogh suffered from a range of mental health issues. Most people think his death was a suicide. There is no official diagnosis, but many people support the belief that he suffered from some combination of bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, epilepsy, and possibly lead poisoning.
Mental illness has the ability to make someone feel very alone and isolated. But you’re not, and it might be comforting to know that these celebrities deal with the same issues that come with BPD. If you or someone you know is struggling with borderline personality disorder, feel free to contact us. We offer borderline personality disorder treatment which includes dialectical behavioral therapy.