A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad WorldLists about common mental illnesses and disorders and the many people around the world and throughout history who have lived with them.
Which popular professional athletes have bipolar disorder? Several famous NFL players, NBA stars and golfers suffer from bipolar disorder. Some of these athletes were diagnosed with the mental illness when they were young, while others were diagnosed later in life.
Who is the most famous athlete who has bipolar disorder? Metta World Peace tops our list. The athlete formerly known as Ron Artest reportedly suffers from bipolar disorder, as did his father. Delonte West confirmed that he was battling depression and bipolar disorder in 2008. He says, "It’s been haunting me my whole life, self-destructive behavior. Everything is going good for me — being on a great team where anything less than a championship is unacceptable this year, getting a new contract, being in a good situation. When everything is on the upside, I’m feeling the worst."
Jean-Claude Van Damme was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1998. He says, "I'm not perfect...I'm an extreme bipolar, and I'm taking medication for this...When I was young, I was suffering those swing moods. In the morning, the sky was blue [when I was] going to school, and to me, the sky was black. I was so sad." Barret Robbins was diagnosed with bipolar disorder while spending time at the Betty Ford Center in 2003.
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Delonte West confirmed that he was battling depression and bipolar disorder in 2008. He says, "It’s been haunting me my whole life, self-destructive behavior. Everything is going good for me — being on a great team where anything less than a championship is unacceptable this year, getting a new contract, being in a good situation, When everything is on the upside, I’m feeling the worst."
Age: 39
Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Washington, D.C.
Teams: Boston Celtics, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Seattle Supersonics
Jean-Claude Van Damme was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1998. He says, "I'm not perfect...I'm an extreme bipolar, and I'm taking medication for this...When I was young, I was suffering those swing moods. In the morning, the sky was blue [when I was] going to school, and to me, the sky was black. I was so sad."
