Famous People Who Have Faced and Managed Anxiety Disorders

Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 6 Jan 2024 - Updated: 21 Jul 2026
Publication Type: Informative

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This information provides a comprehensive overview of notable individuals who have publicly acknowledged their experiences with anxiety disorders. Compiled by Ian C. Langtree, founder and editor-in-chief of a disability-focused publication, the article draws from verified public statements to highlight the prevalence of anxiety across various professions and backgrounds. The list includes figures such as Adele, who has spoken about severe stage fright; Alec Baldwin, who has discussed his struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder; and Amanda Bynes, who has been open about her social anxiety. By presenting these accounts, the article offers valuable insights into the diverse manifestations of anxiety disorders and underscores the importance of acknowledging and addressing mental health issues. This resource can be particularly helpful for individuals with disabilities, seniors, or anyone seeking to understand the impact of anxiety disorders and the importance of seeking support.

At a Glance

• 1 - Types include generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, and selective mutism.
• 2 - OCD appears throughout the list, though it is no longer classified as an anxiety disorder in the DSM-5 or ICD-11.
• 3 - Public figures who have spoken out range from Adele and her stage fright to Harrison Ford with social anxiety and Emma Stone with panic attacks. Anxiety disorders often occur alongside another physical or mental illness or substance use.

Topic Definition

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety Disorders are a group of mental health conditions defined by intense, uncontrollable feelings of anxiety and fear strong enough to interfere with a person's social, work, and personal functioning. They are distinct from the ordinary nervousness someone feels under passing stress, such as speaking in public or racing to meet a deadline, because the distress is persistent and disruptive rather than temporary. These disorders frequently occur alongside another physical or mental illness or with substance and alcohol misuse, which can make them harder to recognize and treat. The category covers several recognized types, among them generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobia, social anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, panic disorder, and selective mutism. Obsessive-compulsive disorder was once grouped here under older diagnostic manuals but is no longer classified as an anxiety disorder in the current DSM-5 or ICD-11.

Overview

What Are Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety disorders are a cluster of mental disorders characterized by significant and uncontrollable feelings of anxiety and fear such that a person's social, occupational, and personal functions are significantly impaired. Anxiety disorders are not the same as the kind of anxiety a person may feel when they are under stress from an event such as speaking in public or attempting to meet a deadline at work. Anxiety disorders often accompany another form of physical or mental illness, or substance or alcohol abuse.

There are several types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, hypochondriasis, specific phobia, social anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, panic disorder, and selective mutism.

NOTE: Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is not an anxiety disorder in the DSM-5 or the ICD-11. However, it was classified as such in older versions of the DSM-IV and ICD-10. OCD manifests in the form of obsessions (distressing, persistent, and intrusive thoughts or images) and compulsions (urges to repeatedly perform specific acts or rituals) that are not caused by drugs or physical disorders and which cause anxiety or distress plus (more or less important) functional disabilities.

Also see our list of famous people who have or had Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

List of Famous People With An Anxiety Disorder

• Adele - English singer-songwriter.
• Alec Baldwin - American actor, comedian and producer (Beetlejuice, Mission Impossible, Still Alice, The Hunt for Red October). Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Amanda Bynes - American actress (Hairspray, All That, The Amanda Show). Social anxiety.
• Amanda Seyfried - American actress, singer and model (Mamma Mia!, Mean Girls, Veronica Mars, In Time, Les Misérables).
• Ant McPartlin - English television presenter (Ant & Dec, Byker Grove, I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway). Anxiety disorder.
• Ariana Grande - American singer-songwriter and actress ("Problem", "Break Free", "Bang Bang", "Thank U, Next", Sam & Cat).
• Ben Affleck - American actor and filmmaker (Good Will Hunting, Suicide Squad, Justice League). Depression and anxiety.
• Ben Schwartz - American actor, comedian and writer (Parks and Recreation, House of Lies).
• Bill Murray - American actor and comedian (Ghostbusters, Scrooged, Groundhog Day, Lost in Translation).
• Billie Joe Armstrong - "American Idiot", "Boulevard of Broken Dreams"). Anxiety, Depression. His 1994 Hit song, “Basket Case” was written about his issues with anxiety disorder and depression.
• Billy Bob Thornton - American actor and musician (One False Move, Primary Colors). Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Burt Reynolds (1936–2018; aged 82), American actor (Deliverance, Smokey and the Bandit, The Cannonball Run, All Dogs Go to Heaven). Panic attacks.
• Cameron Diaz - American actress (The Mask, Charlie's Angels, Shrek, Bad Teacher, Knight and Day, The Holiday). Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Cardi B - American rapper and songwriter ("Bodak Yellow", "WAP", "I Like It", "Up").
• Carson Daly - American television presenter, producer and radio personality (New Year's Eve with Carson Daly). Generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder.
• Charlize Theron - South African-American actress (Mighty Joe Young, Monster, The Devil's Advocate, The Italian Job, Prometheus).
• Chris Evans - American actor (Fantastic Four, Captain America: The First Avenger, Knives Out).
• Clint Malarchuk - Canadian former professional ice hockey player.
• Colton Haynes - American actor and model (Teen Wolf, Arrow).
• Conan O'Brien - American television presenter and comedian (Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Conan, The Simpsons).
• Daniel Radcliffe - English actor (Harry Potter, The Woman in Black, Now You See Me 2, Miracle Workers).
• David Beckham - English former professional footballer. Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Demi Lovato - American singer-songwriter and actress ("Heart Attack", "Sorry Not Sorry", "Cool for the Summer", "Confident", "Skyscraper", Camp Rock).
• Donny Osmond - American singer and actor (The Osmond's, Donny & Marie (1976–1979), Donny & Marie (1998–2000)).
• Earl Campbell - American former professional football player. Panic disorder.
• Emily Lloyd - English actress (Wish You Were Here). Anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Emma Stone - American actress (The Amazing Spider-Man, La La Land, The Favorite, Cruella, Zombieland). Anxiety and panic attacks.
• Fiona Apple - American singer-songwriter ("Criminal", "Paper Bag", "Fast as You Can"). Obsessive compulsive disorder and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• George Ezra - English singer-songwriter and guitarist ("Budapest", "Shotgun", "Anyone for You (Tiger Lily)", "Blame It on Me"). Anxiety and OCD.
• Harrison Ford - American actor (Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Blade Runner, Clear and Present Danger). Social anxiety disorder.
• Heather Locklear - American actress and model (Melrose Place, Dynasty).
• Howard Hughes (1905–1976; aged 70), American business magnate, investor, pilot engineer and film director. Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Howard Stern - American radio and television personality (The Howard Stern Show, America's Got Talent). Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Howie Mandel - Canadian television personality (America's Got Talent). Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Jennette McCurdy - American actress and singer (iCarly, Sam & Cat, I'm Glad My Mom Died). Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Jennifer Lawrence - American actress (The Hunger Games, X-Men, The Bill Engvall Show). Anxiety.
• Jesse Eisenberg - American actor (The Social Network, Zombieland, Justice League, Rio).
• Joaquin Phoenix - American actor (Joker, Parenthood, Gladiator, To Die For, Walk the Line).
• John Mayer - American singer and musician ("Waiting on the World to Change", "Your Body Is a Wonderland").
• Johnny Depp - American actor (Pirates of the Caribbean, 21 Jump Street, Edward Scissorhands, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Alice in Wonderland).
• Jon Richardson - English comedian (8 Out of 10 Cats, Jon Richardson: Ultimate Worrier). Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Josh Gad - American actor (Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, Pixels). Generalized anxiety disorder.
• Justin Bieber - Canadian YouTubers singer ("Baby", "Sorry", "Love Yourself", "What Do You Mean?", YouTubers). Depression and anxiety.
• Justin Timberlake - American singer-songwriter, actor and dancer. OCD.
• Kendall Jenner - American model and television personality (Keeping Up with the Kardashians).
• Kevin Love - American professional basketball player.
• Kim Basinger - American actress (Never Say Never Again, Batman, The Burning Plain). Social anxiety.
• Kit Harington - English actor (Game of Thrones, Eternals, How to Train Your Dragon). Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Kristen Bell - American actress (Veronica Mars, Heroes, Gossip Girl). Anxiety.
• Lady Gaga - American singer-songwriter and actress.
• LeAnn Rimes - American country music singer ("Blue", "Can't Fight the Moonlight", "How Do I Live").
• Leonardo DiCaprio - American actor (Titanic, Shutter Island, The Wolf of Wall Street, The Great Gatsby). Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Lili Reinhart - American actress (Riverdale, Hustlers).
• Mabel - English-Swedish singer-songwriter ("Don't Call Me Up", "Mad Love", "Finders Keepers", "Let Them Know"). Anxiety.
• Mara Wilson - American actress and author (Mrs. Doubtfire, Matilda, Miracle on 34th Street). Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Marc Summers - American television personality and television presenter. Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Michael Clifford - Australian musician and guitarist (5 Seconds of Summer). Depression and anxiety.
• Michelle Pfeiffer - American actress (Scarface, Dangerous Liaisons, Batman Returns, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil). Social anxiety disorder.
• Mina Myōi - Japanese singer and dancer (Twice). She had to take a brief hiatus from the group due to an anxiety disorder.
• Missy Elliott - American rapper ("Get Ur Freak On", "Work It", "All n My Grill"). Anxiety disorder.
• Naomi Judd (1946–2022; aged 76), American country music singer and member of The Judds. Anxiety.
• Nicole Kidman - Australian-American actress (The Golden Compass, Eyes Wide Shut, Big Little Lies, The Undoing). Panic attacks.
• Paul Gascoigne - English former professional footballer. Anxiety.
• Paula Deen - American chef, cookbook author and television personality. Agoraphobia.
• Rob Beckett - English comedian and television presenter (All Together Now, Celebs Go Dating, 8 Out of 10 Cats). Depression and anxiety.
• Royce White - American basketball player.
• Rupert Grint - English actor (Harry Potter).
• Ryan Reynolds - Canadian-American actor (Deadpool, Turbo, Green Lantern, The Amityville Horror). Anxiety.
• Sarah Silverman - American actress and comedian (The Sarah Silverman Program, Wreck-It Ralph, I Smile Back).
• Scarlett Johansson - American actress (Iron Man 2, Marriage Story, Lucy, The Jungle Book, The Avengers, Black Widow). Anxiety and panic attacks.
• Selena Gomez - American singer and actress ("Come & Get It", "Hands to Myself", "Same Old Love", "Love You like a Love Song", Wizards of Waverly Place).
• Shawn Mendes - Canadian YouTubers singer-songwriter ("Stitches", "Treat You Better", "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back", "If I Can't Have You", YouTuber). Anxiety disorder.
• Stephen Colbert - American comedian and television presenter (The Colbert Report, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert). Anxiety, depression and panic attacks.
• Sydney Magruder Washington, American ballet dancer.
• Taraji P. Henson - American actress (Baby Boy, The Karate Kid, Empire).
• The Notorious B.I.G. (1972–1997; aged 24), American rapper ("Juicy", "Big Poppa"). Anxiety, depression and paranoia.
• Whoopi Goldberg - American actress, comedian and television personality (Ghost, Sister Act, The Lion King, Toy Story 3, The View).
• Wil Wheaton - American actor (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Teen Titans, Ben 10).
• Winona Ryder - American actress (Stranger Things, Beetlejuice, Friends, Edward Scissorhands, Black Swan). Anxiety.
• Zach Braff - American actor (Scrubs, The Ex, Chicken Little). Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Zack Greinke - American professional baseball pitcher.
• Zayn Malik - English singer-songwriter (One Direction, "Pillowtalk", "Dusk Till Dawn", "Like I Would").
• Zoe Sugg - English YouTuber, author and businesswoman (Girl Online). Anxiety.

Frequently Asked Questions

What defines an anxiety disorder?

Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health conditions defined by intense, uncontrollable feelings of anxiety and fear strong enough to interfere with a person's social, work, and personal functioning. The distress is persistent and disruptive rather than temporary.

What are the recognized types of anxiety disorders?

The category covers several recognized types, among them generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobia, social anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, panic disorder, and selective mutism. Hypochondriasis is also noted among the types.

Why is OCD not classified as an anxiety disorder anymore?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder was once grouped with anxiety disorders under older diagnostic manuals such as the DSM-IV and ICD-10, but it is no longer classified as one in the current DSM-5 or ICD-11. It now sits in its own category, though it still involves significant anxiety.

How does OCD manifest according to the page?

OCD manifests in the form of obsessions, which are distressing, persistent, and intrusive thoughts or images, and compulsions, which are urges to repeatedly perform specific acts or rituals. These are not caused by drugs or physical disorders and cause anxiety or distress along with functional difficulties.

Do anxiety disorders often occur alongside other conditions?

Yes. Anxiety disorders frequently occur alongside another physical or mental illness or with substance and alcohol misuse. This overlap can make them harder to recognize and treat.

Are there professional athletes who have spoken about anxiety?

Yes. The list includes basketball players Kevin Love and Royce White, baseball pitcher Zack Greinke, footballers Paul Gascoigne and David Beckham, and ice hockey player Clint Malarchuk, among others from sport.

Are there musicians on the list who have discussed anxiety?

Yes. The list features many musicians, including Adele, who has spoken about severe stage fright, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, Fiona Apple, and Zayn Malik, reflecting how common the experience is in the music industry.

NOTE: If you notice any inaccuracies in this list, please reach out to us so we can correct it. Additionally, if you believe someone should be added to this list, please provide us with their name and any information to verify their disability. We value your help, and you can contact us here.

You can also view our other lists of famous and well-known people with various disabilities and conditions, including actors, politicians, and writers who contributed to society.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: Recognizing that anxiety disorders affect individuals across all walks of life, including high-profile figures, can foster a more inclusive and understanding society. By sharing their experiences, these public figures contribute to destigmatizing mental health challenges and encourage others to seek help. This collective acknowledgment serves as a reminder that mental health is a universal concern, and open discussions can lead to greater awareness and support for those affected.

Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.