[TakingMyMeds]

I am sure there are some successful people that have struggled with mental health issues. Besides hearing about some actors/singers say they're bipolar....Have you guys ever heard of or met any successful people that have struggled with their mental health? I'm guessing that is not something people would broadcast and maybe that's why I haven't heard of it.When I say successful I mean someone that has successfully created a business or holds a prominent position within a company. A successful business being one that has granted you the opportunity to make some splurges and purchase somethings you couldn't with a typical job. Originally, I was just wondering about expatriates but now I'd just like to know about it in general.

How do you gauge success?

[TakingMyMeds]

Originally Posted by Lefty the Salesman

How do you gauge success?

In my opinion I'll be successful once I have created my own family and we make enough to live comfortably but right now I'm no where near that so my current view is that I'd like to make decent money. So when I say successful I mean someone that has successfully created a business or holds a prominent position within a company. A successful business being one that has granted you the opportunity to make some splurges and purchase somethings or go places you couldn't with a typical job. Basically financial freedom...

Originally Posted by TakingMyMeds

In my opinion I'll be successful once I have created my own family and we make enough to live comfortably but right now I'm no where near that so my current view is that I'd like to make decent money. So when I say successful I mean someone that has successfully created a business or holds a prominent position within a company. A successful business being one that has granted you the opportunity to make some splurges and purchase somethings or go places you couldn't with a typical job. Basically financial freedom...

From her posts, forum member Ocean Swimmer sounds self-made and financially free. The mentally ill that I've met in person have generally had it pretty rough, and financial freedom is a lofty goal for anyone in this society and economy.

[unaluna]

Some people think donald trump is mentally ill.

Some baseball and football players have written books in recent years about their mental illnesses. I cant think of any off hand, but this does not include the football concussion stuff. t

[Keegan2015]

I used to work for the student affairs department at a major university and more than one of the supervisors / resource officials who I worked for had overcome (or were still healing from) issues relating to PTSD and anxiety caused by childhood trauma.

There was also a very successful professor who I worked for as an assistant who I strongly suspect (based off of experiences he shared occasionally) has/had MDD or bipolar disorder but never explicitly stated it.

I have DID and i am successful.
With my work i meet many people who are "successful" and have mental illnesses. You'd be surprised how many well known/ famous people have some serious issues they hidde.

[Ocean Swimmer]

Yes. Catherine Zeta Jones has bipolar.
Thanks Lefty. Yes I live very frugally, for example I have no car here in Costa Rica.
I got my Real Estate Licence when I was 19. Put myself thru 7 years of university. I have bipolar.

I think I inherited my fathers flair for business. Have owned and operated more than a few small companies.

Never think an illness has to hold you back. Push forward. Set goals.
Yes there will be setbacks.

My family used to think I was sick because of too many projects and working too hard. But I have bipolar and would have had problems either way.

So make some dreams. Plan how you'll achieve them.

[TishaBuv]

It depends on the MI and its severity.
I've been diagnosed with Depression and PTSD.
I have avoided doing everything I didn't want to do. I think I have ADHD as do many in my family.
I am very dedicated and responsible when I am interested in what I am doing. I've been successful in several different careers; performing arts, retail, non-profit org, agent/broker. I didn't stick with doing just one thing, I keep growing and changing, but successful at each step.

Yes, I have had bouts of depression that got in the way of work at times.

[TakingMyMeds]

I just saw all of these responses. This is really inspiring.

[seesaw]

I consider myself successful. I have risen through the ranks of my field to be at the Director level now. I can and have made important decisions for organizations I've worked for. I do have debt, but I am financially secure. I have Major (severe and treatment resistant) Depression and PTSD and agoraphobia. I do a lot of CBT and building coping strategies for accomplishing the things I need to accomplish. But there are still days where I need a mental health day. One thing I am still learning is to stay away or steer clear of toxic people, who make my depression far worse.

I'd be interested to hear the strategies all of us "successful" people have used in dealing with their MI and still rising up the ranks.

Seesaw

[Ceara1010]

Originally Posted by TakingMyMeds

I am sure there are some successful people that have struggled with mental health issues....When I say successful I mean someone that has successfully created a business or holds a prominent position within a company. A successful business being one that has granted you the opportunity to make some splurges and purchase somethings you couldn't with a typical job.

What is a "typical" job? (scratches head) It sounds like you are defining a successful person as someone with a disposable income.

I think this thread is a great idea, but at the same time, I think this definition of success is way too narrow because there have been people with mental illness who have made great contributions to society, and yet never made much money or rose very high in their institutions or professions, if at all.

For example, John Nash was extremely schizophrenic, yet was ostracized at his university and made so little money his wife had to support them. Yet he was given the Nobel Prize for Economics and subsequently, a movie was made about him. (And much has been written about him.)

Van Gogh was mentally ill (they don't know with what) and his work was despised in his time, and he was very poor. Yet now he's considered one of the words greatest artists. Other artists, poets, and writers have similar stories.

Also, this definition above also rules out genius, dedicated teachers who have change their student's lives yet never made much money or rose up the ladder at their schools. Same thing for social workers. In truth, a lot of incredible people in these "human services" type fields never get any recognition until someone makes a movie of their lives--but that's how incredible they are/were.

Personally, I think if your contribution to society is so great they write books about your work, and make movies about your work, then you are successful no matter how much money you make or how high up the professional ladder you go.

Just my two cents.

--Ceara1010

[TakingMyMeds]

Originally Posted by Ceara1010

What is a "typical" job? (scratches head) It sounds like you are defining a successful person as someone with a disposable income.

I think this thread is a great idea, but at the same time, I think this definition of success is way too narrow because there have been people with mental illness who have made great contributions to society, and yet never made much money or rose very high in their institutions or professions, if at all.

For example, John Nash was extremely schizophrenic, yet was ostracized at his university and made so little money his wife had to support them. Yet he was given the Nobel Prize for Economics and subsequently, a movie was made about him. (And much has been written about him.)

Van Gogh was mentally ill (they don't know with what) and his work was despised in his time, and he was very poor. Yet now he's considered one of the words greatest artists. Other artists, poets, and writers have similar stories.

Also, this definition above also rules out genius, dedicated teachers who have change their student's lives yet never made much money or rose up the ladder at their schools. Same thing for social workers. In truth, a lot of incredible people in these "human services" type fields never get any recognition until someone makes a movie of their lives--but that's how incredible they are/were.

Personally, I think if your contribution to society is so great they write books about your work, and make movies about your work, then you are successful no matter how much money you make or how high up the professional ladder you go.

Just my two cents.

--Ceara1010

I completely understand what you are saying but when I started this thread I was feeling down and wondering if my diagnosis was a one way street to poverty. I know that money doesn't matter when your dead but having some extra disposable income and family and good friends definitely makes life a lot better. Of course success is probably better measured by your contribution to society but I'm more focused on getting myself together right now. I do want to volunteer places but I want to be able to travel the world too (all over not just Third world countries) so that is what I was thinking when I defined success that way.

[Ceara1010]

Originally Posted by TakingMyMeds

I completely understand what you are saying but when I started this thread I was feeling down and wondering if my diagnosis was a one way street to poverty. I know that money doesn't matter when your dead but having some extra disposable income and family and good friends definitely makes life a lot better. Of course success is probably better measured by your contribution to society but I'm more focused on getting myself together right now. I do want to volunteer places but I want to be able to travel the world too (all over not just Third world countries) so that is what I was thinking when I defined success that way.

I understand completely where you are coming from. And as you've read already, there's lots of people right here at PC who have MI but are making a living. And there's also people with MI who are rich and famous.

For one thing, I know there's a lot of people with schizophrenia who are college professors, not to mention a lot of people on the autism scale who are professors and researchers, and who work in the sciences and tech industries.

In fact, the woman who invented Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) which people talk about all over this forum is also mentally ill, though I've heard conflicting reports on her exact diagnosis--bi-polar or schizophrenia.

And depression is practically an epidemic, though lots of people with it can make good livings.

Famous people with MI: Bill Gates is probably autistic, and Temple Grandin is a famous researcher with autism. Carrie Fisher is bipolar--she played Leia in Star Wars and is now a very successful writer. Tons of famous writers, artists, and musicians have had MI and/or addictions, such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Keith Richards, Barbara Streisand.

Here's a link to a blog that lists 300 famous/successful people with MI

I hope you are feeling better now and can see MI isn't a trap into poverty. But of course, the current state of the economy doesn't help matters. :-(

--Ceara1010

[growlycat]

I had severe mental health problems in my teens and twenties. I am now 44 and at least my career is reasonably successful. I may not be a Ceo but I think I am living within a range of successfulness
Abe Lincoln was thought to be depressed
http://www2.nami.org/Images/ECProduc...ople_large.gif

[Aviza]

I feel successful because I've made great strides. I'm now use vitamins and supplements, I am no longer on meds. I have a job I'm excited about, and apartment I like. And I'll soon be getting back to my songwriting hobby, in fact I have an audition in a couple weeks I need to get on preparing for.

I'm happy, regaining my health, have regained my stamina. Life is again interesting, joyful, and peaceful.

[Finniky]

One thing to note is that I know a TON of people my age who do not appear to be notably mentally ill, but are on roads to no success. I am a young adult (24) as are my peers. I have more "alternative" peers, however. Basically meaning, grew up poor. Many of them have had no education beyond HS or getting a GED. They work lame jobs and struggle, dabble with college but fail, have had kids early and really struggle due to that, many of these that had kids are single parents dealing with co-parenting. They just aren't on the road to "success" in my definition. But many are normal, fun loving people who socialize well and make good impressions in general. They just make crappy decisions and weren't privileged.

I also grew up poor, my mother was mentally ill and now I am considered mentally ill. As a child, adult friends of my mother said I had mental retardation, even though I was never thoroughly evaluated as a child. I had rhythmic movement disorder diagnosed as an infant, which is what made me appear "retarded" (their words). ADD, anxiety and panic disorder was diagnosed in adulthood. I am so certain that I actually just have aspergers and not all these things seperately. I'm a girl so they go undiagnosed as being aspergers, and i've never mentioned it to therapists because I figure if I have it, it's their jobs to figure that out, but more-so I just don't want the label. but regardless of all that, I have my own place, work, go to university, and am engaged. Many of my "able-minded" peers have not accomplished jack in comparison.

[growlycat]

Originally Posted by Finniky

One thing to note is that I know a TON of people my age who do not appear to be notably mentally ill, but are on roads to no success. I am a young adult (24) as are my peers. I have more "alternative" peers, however. Basically meaning, grew up poor. Many of them have had no education beyond HS or getting a GED. They work lame jobs and struggle, dabble with college but fail, have had kids early and really struggle due to that, many of these that had kids are single parents dealing with co-parenting. They just aren't on the road to "success" in my definition. But many are normal, fun loving people who socialize well and make good impressions in general. They just make crappy decisions and weren't privileged.

I also grew up poor, my mother was mentally ill and now I am considered mentally ill. As a child, adult friends of my mother said I had mental retardation, even though I was never thoroughly evaluated as a child. I had rhythmic movement disorder diagnosed as an infant, which is what made me appear "retarded" (their words). ADD, anxiety and panic disorder was diagnosed in adulthood. I am so certain that I actually just have aspergers and not all these things seperately. I'm a girl so they go undiagnosed as being aspergers, and i've never mentioned it to therapists because I figure if I have it, it's their jobs to figure that out, but more-so I just don't want the label. but regardless of all that, I have my own place, work, go to university, and am engaged. Many of my "able-minded" peers have not accomplished jack in comparison.

I think there are successful and less successful people of all levels of intelligence or health. Alan Turing was brilliant and thought to be Aspie-- see the movie The Imitation Game. I've also read about genius IQ people who don't accomplish much. Success means so many different things. IMHO Struggling does not equal failure

[divine1966]

My fiancée has Tourette's syndrome, severe OCD ( you don't want to be around him when he is off Meds), and ADHD. He also comes from very poor and abusive family

He has two college degrees ( BS and BSN) and is licensed RN/nurse supervisor in a reputable medical facility. Although Tourettes would make it difficult to rise much higher ( like go into higher level nursing management), he makes very good money and it's honorable and reputable profession.

He was told by his doctor that people with his level of OCD and Tourettes are typically on disability. He was not going to go that route.



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[dancinglady]

I think I am successful. I have a mental illness age 65 and was just hired with the hardest place to get a job. Yes I have made it and will keep going.

[ruesia]

While I agree that "success" is an ambiguous term, mental illness does not go hand-in-hand with poverty.

Ironically, my job and the agency I work for is dedicated to assisting individuals with disabilities (including mental health) prepare for, enter in to, and advance in employment. If you live in the US, it is called vocational rehabilitation and can help you!

I started out as an assistant and have since put myself through school while working full time to become a counselor. It is INCREDIBLY demanding and there are days I feel overwhelmed and have to just take a day or two and regroup. During my work here, I still struggle with my depression and anxiety. But, I told myself that there is nothing that is going to keep me from helping others and accomplishing my dream.

Ironically, my professional life is much more stable than my personal life. I really throw my entire soul in to work and come home exhausted each day, but I am making a difference in other peoples lives and it keeps me going. I've been divorced and re-married and my debt goes up and down like a roller coaster, but with each promotion I've gotten and each step I take at work, the less and less wild this coaster is.

So, don't let it stop you! And, know that if you are in the USA, there is a state funded agency (not to mention private as well) whose sole purpose is to help individuals with mental health diagnoses get GOOD, STABLE jobs.

[luvyrself]

Originally Posted by TakingMyMeds

I am sure there are some successful people that have struggled with mental health issues. Besides hearing about some actors/singers say they're bipolar....Have you guys ever heard of or met any successful people that have struggled with their mental health? I'm guessing that is not something people would broadcast and maybe that's why I haven't heard of it.When I say successful I mean someone that has successfully created a business or holds a prominent position within a company. A successful business being one that has granted you the opportunity to make some splurges and purchase somethings you couldn't with a typical job. Originally, I was just wondering about expatriates but now I'd just like to know about it in general.

—-a very famous author, Kay Jamison Redfield? Is adoctor . She writes about her life. She is bipolar.

[Cocosurviving]

Yes. Dr. Kay Redifield Jamison is great. She has wrote many great books. Also there is Dr. Mary Ellen Copeland known for WRAP (Wellness Recovery Actually Plan). Not to be rude but I do not get into celebrities. Both Dr. Jamison and Dr. Copeland “have” Bipolar.

[imaginethat]

I hope you're still doing well taking just nutritional supplements. Which ones are you taking? I need to start doing that.

Originally Posted by Aviza

I feel successful because I've made great strides. I'm now use vitamins and supplements, I am no longer on meds. I have a job I'm excited about, and apartment I like. And I'll soon be getting back to my songwriting hobby, in fact I have an audition in a couple weeks I need to get on preparing for.

I'm happy, regaining my health, have regained my stamina. Life is again interesting, joyful, and peaceful.

[sarahsweets]

I think success is highly subjective and I do not think its easy to find someone who truly has it.