Psychology Diary

The First Step Toward Change Is Awareness

  • Home
  • Relationships
  • Mental Health
  • Expert Tips
  • Life
  • Family
  • Marriage

7 Mentally Ill US Presidents and Their Symptoms

June 30, 2023 · Mental Health
mentally ill US presidents
Photo by Joseph Sohm from Shutterstock

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated, 1 in 10 Americans suffers from depression. Believe it or not, it also applies to our leaders: we had plenty of mentally ill US presidents.

Today, we’re going to discuss all the mood disorders that affected some of the most important political figures in our country, and before you start reading the article, I wonder if you can pinpoint what names are on this list!

There’s a 2006 article written by psychiatrists from Duke University Medical Center that carefully reviewed the biographies of all American presidents from 1776 to 1974. The study was later published in the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, analyzing historical data from over 37 presidents to look for possible symptoms of mental illnesses.

What they discovered was simply astonishing because, according to these Duke researchers, 49% of former presidents suffered from some form of mental illness. Among all of them, depression was the most common. So let’s unpack this list of mentally ill US presidents together. Are you ready?

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5

Share this article

Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email

2 responses to “7 Mentally Ill US Presidents and Their Symptoms”

  1. Chris says:
    May 22, 2025 at 12:20 am

    Trump: Histrionic personality Disorder,
    + Psychopathic Disorder, + Megalomania + Anti-social Pers. Disorder

    Reply
  2. Chris says:
    May 22, 2025 at 12:52 am

    Reader, save your time, DJT isn’t even mentioned here as the 8th POTUS with SEVERE MENTAL issues (histrionic, psychopathic, megalomaniac, narcissistic, anti-personality)

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Latest Posts

  • An editorial gouache illustration of an anonymous leader's profile silhouette filled with abstract patterns, representing public perception. The Psychology of Donald Trump: Traits, Behaviors, and Public Perception
  • An artistic mixed-media collage silhouette of a person filled with tangled threads, a clock dial, and watercolor shapes on textured paper. 9 Everyday Symptoms That May Be Linked to Anxiety
  • Lonely1, feel depression 10 Therapist-Approved Tips for When You're Feeling Lonely
  • A conceptual mixed media collage with a compass, geometric shapes, and watercolor washes symbolizing structure and flow. 8 Signs You’re a Self-Disciplined Person
  • A mixed media collage of a figure made of layered paper and watercolor, symbolizing emotional flexibility and resilience. 12 Signs You're Mentally Stronger Than You Realize
  • A mixed media collage of a person's face with shifting, layered textures and torn paper edges symbolizing a mental break. 10 Signs of a Psychotic Break
  • A conceptual illustration showing a father and daughter separated by a deep chasm in the floor of their dining room. 10 Habits That Push People Away (Your Children Too)
  • A conceptual collage of a head silhouette filled with shattered mirrors and warped photos, symbolizing reality distortion. 8 Ways People Distort Reality
  • An elderly woman sits alone at a dining table in soft afternoon light, looking down at a tea cup in a quiet, nostalgic home setting. 9 Emotional Wounds Adult Children Simply Don’t Realize They’re Inflicting On Their Parents
  • A mixed-media collage of a fragmented silhouette head with an anchor being cut, symbolizing the loss of one's grip on reality. 10 Signs Someone Is Trying to Distort Your Reality

Newsletter

Get the latest posts delivered to your inbox.

Related Articles

Woman looking out window in sunlit room.

Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in Older Adults

As the days grow shorter and a chill settles in the air, many of us…

Read More →
toxic self relationship and self love, taking to a narcissist, midlife crisis

5 Clear Indicators of Toxic Self-Relationship

How toxic are you being with yourself? I hope you know that more important than…

Read More →
A man in his 60s working with clay in a pottery studio, symbolizing the transition from a career to a new personal purpose.

How to Rebuild Your Identity and Purpose After You Stop Working

Discover actionable, research-backed strategies to rebuild your identity, navigate emotional transitions, and find genuine purpose…

Read More →
Dementia vs. Schizophrenia adult

Is It Schizophrenia or Dementia? 5 Signs Explained

Do you feel more forgetful or confused lately? You may deal with Schizophrenia or Dementia!…

Read More →
Two hands clasped together, showing support.

How to Support a Partner or Friend Experiencing a Mental Health Crisis

Watching someone you care about—a partner, a close friend, a family member—go through a mental…

Read More →
anxiety

Anxiety Is Different In Seniors. Do You Know The Warning Signs?

We stressed so much about this subject, mainly because anxiety is more than just a…

Read More →
A senior woman sits alone on her sofa in warm afternoon light, looking out the window with a pensive and slightly anxious expression.

Why Anxiety in Seniors Is Often Overlooked—and How to Get Help

Discover why anxiety in older adults is frequently overlooked, learn to recognize the physical signs,…

Read More →
memory, alzheimer's

Alzheimer’s Disease: 8 Early Signs You Shouldn’t Overlook

The terms “Alzheimer’s” and “dementia” are often used interchangeably. Despite their similarities, there are differences…

Read More →
Bipolar Disorder

What It’s Like Having Bipolar Disorder According to Celebrities

Is Bipolar Disorder a Hidden Struggle for Hollywood Stars? Did you know that Bipolar disorder…

Read More →

Psychology Diary

The First Step Toward Change Is Awareness

Inedit Agency S.R.L.
Bucharest, Romania

contact@psychologydiary.com

Explore

  • About Us
  • Advertiser Disclosure
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Do not sell my personal information
  • Editorial Policy
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Subscribe
  • Unsubscribe

Categories

  • Expert Tips
  • Family
  • Life
  • Marriage
  • Mental Health

© 2026 Psychology Diary. All rights reserved.