By Leslie Johnson

Although it is somewhat of a media-influenced stereotype, the cultural image of the "mad genius" has stayed with us, and that's because many of the qualities attributed to highly successful people (i.e. that they are crazy or insane) are quite true.

Especially for those of us who are creative and active people, we shouldn't be ashamed if we struggle with problems of a personal nature.

Here are a few people who made it big, but who cope with the same difficulties that many of us creatives sometimes face.

Charles Schulz

Everyone loves Peanuts—it's considered one of the most popular cartoon strips in existence.

But the man behind the loveable characters who are practically friends, from Charlie to Snoopy to Lucy and more, lived with chronic depression and anxiety.

Charles Schulz in fact based the character Charlie on himself, with his dejected worldview and associated neuroses.

Carrie Fischer

Remember Carrie Fisher, Princess Leia from the Star Wars movies?

Fisher is a one-woman tour de force, having appeared in several movies, TV shows, and even video games.

She's written two books, and has also lectured at universities.

Despite her successes and accolades, she has suffered from a debilitating bout of bipolar disorder since she was young.

She also had to kick an alcohol and drug addiction, and battle weight gain later in her career.

Dave Matthews

Dave Matthews is known as much for his guitar chops as for his unique vocals and creative lyrics.

But DM has also struggled his entire life with depression and drug addiction.

In a Rolling Stone interview, Matthews discussed his past problems and how his music helped him: "I was depressed. It was not a good time for me…I don't want to be someone who writes about how sad I am, I'd rather write…with some sort of strength."

Abraham Lincoln

The president who saved the Union and ended slavery, considered by many to be America's best leader, was also cripplingly depressed.

An Atlantic Monthly feature article describes at length Abraham Lincoln's problems and how they would retroactively be diagnosed as major clinical depression.

Vincent Van Gogh

Vincent Van Gogh is probably everybody's favorite insane historical figure.

The most famous story is, of course, when he cut off his ear and sent it to his then lover.

While many have speculated as to what, precisely, Vincent Van Gogh would have been diagnosed with had he been alive today, the most common guesses are either bipolar disorder, epilepsy, or a combination of various disorders.

Van Gogh's problems were often compounded by his excessive drinking and smoking, and he eventually committed suicide.

Although mental illness is a very serious problem, and proper treatment is still hard to come by because of stigmatism among other issues, there's no doubt that insanity can produce art and progress.

As such, it is important to see those afflicted with mental disorders for who they are—not "crazies" per se, but people just like anyone else, except that they must carry a burden that can be a double edged sword.

Author Bio:

This guest post is contributed by Leslie Johnson, who writes about health, green living, parenting and related articles at masters in health administration.

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Also see more Mental health & fitness articles, and a number of posts on mental health.

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