Succeeding in Hollywood is often seen as the pinnacle of dreams. Visions of becoming famous and rich are part of the American psyche. While it is not dreaming the impossible dream, what is typically overlooked is the brutal mental toll it can take on its creators and performers. When one combines that a high percentage of creative souls are prone to mental and emotional fragility.
“One per cent of the general population is bipolar but seven studies over the past 30 years have found rates of bipolar between 5% and 40% in populations of artists and writers reaching as high as 70% when cyclothymia, a milder syndrome of cycles of elation and gloom, is included.
In the case of unipolar or major depression, the population rate is about 5% but the rate among artists and writers in the various studies is between 15% and 50%.” (Artshub.com)
When pressure builds upon these individuals’ flameouts can become fodder for the media-often in cruel ways. We have watched several celebrities break down in publicly devastating events resulting in damaged careers and public humiliation. Brittany Spears shaved her head and attacked a parked car,
‘Superman the Movie’s’ Lois Lane actor Margot Kidder was found hiding in bushes while believing post office boxes were monitoring her.
Kanye West’s erratic behaviour is well known. These are just a few that have become part of the media’s most well-known events. Often celebrities’ struggles are more privately dealt with. Celebrities that have kept their struggles private for long periods include Katherine Zeta-Jones, Jim Carrey, and unfortunately, luminaries such as Robin Williams and Anthony Bourdain wound up taking their own lives.
Enter Ezra Miller. (They/Them)
Ezra recently achieved public acclaim for their folksy and genteel depiction of Barry Allen AKA the Flash in The Justice League and the forthcoming Flash movie. They were fast becoming a beloved figure much the same way Chris Evans depiction of Captain America. (Evans himself also struggles with an anxiety disorder.) It must be said that when studios pick actors to take on roles for tentpole film franchises the scrutiny is very heavy and intense.
So, for Ezra to have been selected clearly indicates that they have succeeded professionally. One is not trusted with participating in being cast in massive projects unless the studios believe that they cannot handle the responsibilities. Clearly, Warner saw them as a capable professional. The fact that they have been seen to be going through a mental health crisis should not diminish their talent and capability.
Far from it.
A great many people with mental illness have achieved greatness even though they have mental health concerns;
Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, actors David Harbour of ‘Stranger Things’, singer Demi Levato, beloved actor/writer Carrie Fisher, CNN Creator Ted Turner, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, and even British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill.
So, for a young actor dealing with an untreated mental illness to have erratic, even dangerous, public conduct issues comes as no surprise to anyone who works in the mental health field.
We know that Ezra Miller is both aware of his illness and that it is untreated comes from Ezra themselves.
Ezra needs to be treated and his illness managed. The ability to realize that one has a mental health problem is a great step, but it is only one step on a long journey. It would be far better if he chooses this path; people seeking help themselves have a far greater chance of success rather than those who have the situation forced upon them. The wonderful thing is that it is never too late to seek help and deal with this illness. While Ezra must still deal with the consequences of their criminal actions when one owns up to and manages their illness peace tends to follow.
I hope they think about these things and pursues treatment.
— John R. White an author, and a certified Mental Health first aide responder.
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The National Alliance on Mental Illness
HelpLine: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264). Text: 741741
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
John R. White is a USAF veteran, and has served as Art Director for the Honor Flight Network, and Honor Flight Northwest Ohio. He is most well known as the Author of 'The Tales of the Airship Neverland' steampunk series, and the author and designer of the 'Airship Neverland' Roleplaying game.
Er… David Spade is still alive. Not sure who you meant to put there? GREAT article, though! Hopefully Ezra gets the help that they need.
He is indeed. The article has been updated with the correction.
This guy is aware of his situation? He talks about it?
“Fortunately, I have the blessing of being on a medical regimen that manages these issues and has kept me alive and well for decades.”
Good! And good to all involved for spreading the word about getting help for mental health issues! I went through PTSD and dealt with it on my own, apparently functioning normally to my friends and co-workers–until I virtually collapsed. Fortunately, I finally got help.
The change over time with what’s publicly known about “movie stars” and other public figures has been radical. And that applies to “regular” people as well–and to public perception of mental health. For example, in 1960s American television, the character who went to a psychiatrist was likely a silly rich lady nobody took seriously. Thank goodness mental health is now being seen for the serious issue it actually is.
As for Robin Williams, I can’t say I knew his specific condition before he died. But while I was definitely saddened, I was not surprised. Even when he was going into his comic mania, I felt a subtext of sadness.
Dont you mean David Harbour instead of Brian Harbour?
Great article btw 🙂
Ah yes. David Harbour indeed. The correction is made, thank you for pointing that out.
I don’t see all the names mentioned in the article choking people or getting into consistent trouble. Don’t give Miller the same pass as you do Jim Carrey or Bourdain or Harbour or Fisher …
I do not understand how we live in a society that can not force mentally ill people into a health facility. It is far more than obvious when a person is just a douche bag compared when they are suffering from mental illness. Ezra Miller is obviously suffering some form of mental illness and breakdown. It will not get better on its own. We have a huge percentage of mentally ill humans in our world. In our very midst. Most of whom struggle to survive and our living homeless on the streets of our cities. Very few, if any, people, choose to be homeless. They’re are millions of our fellow humans suffering from varying degrees and types of mental illness that go untreated. We as a society, as a humanity, will face horrific consequences, if we continue to choose to ignore the prevalence of mental illness amongst our fellow humans. The reason we do not help our mentally ill is all related to money, taxation and most of all, the foremost cause of all defects of humanity, GREED. They do not choose mental illness. However, we do choose, as a society, to ignore them and their suffering. Until it is too late.
It needs to be somewhat challenging to forcibly admit someone against their will. However, the state will admit someone on a psych hold of they are clear threat to themselves or other.
The issue is money, mental illness care is always underfunded- unless they want to blame us for mass shootings.
However studies shows that only 17% of the mentally ill are violent, 1% use firearms.
The vast majority of mass murder and gun violence are by white males. 40% of mass shootings are by white men under 29.
So, yeah. We’re scapegoats for the NRA, and gun companies.