Mental Health Timeline by

King George lll (1738–1820)

aaronfigcollege — 2025-03-07 18:58:09 UTC

King George lll, late 1700s. Some experts have said the would be diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and or porphyria. Which led to very erratic behavior and decisions. Had great impact at the time with the US 13 colonies; and Declaration of Independence.

Stonewall Jackson (1824–1863)

aaronfigcollege — 2025-03-07 19:08:11 UTC

Stonewall, is a very impactful figure in US history through early 1800's. Serving as a general in the American Civil War and First Battle of Bull Run. Stonewall got his name for standing right in the middle of fire, and never moving. People attributed it to his bravery however he was also credited saying he was told by an angel he would never be shot. Many speculate that OCD and Aspergers were the main culprits.

Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890)

aaronfigcollege — 2025-03-07 19:16:11 UTC

Van Gogh, unknown French painter mid to late 1800s. Van Gogh seemed to very troubled with everything from epilepsy to lead poisoning, however what lead him to infamously cut his ear off was a schizophrenic episode. Also led to him taking his life. His artistic style could be attributed to his troubled mind. Died not having his paintings discovered.

The Yellow Wallpaper (1892)

aaronfigcollege — 2025-03-09 20:29:47 UTC

By Charlotte Perkins Gilman, The Yellow Wallpaper was a groundbreaking piece of literature at the time. It follows a women with post party depression who is locked in a room that has yellow wallpaper in it. The women is trapped in there and is driven into insanity and schizophrenia. The Yellow Wallpapers spotlighted mental illness especially in women at a time where it was inconceivable.

Death of a Salesman (1949)

aaronfigcollege — 2025-03-09 20:34:04 UTC

In 1949, Arthur Miller released a play following the life of a family man salesman Willy. As the play continues the all the stresses in his life all build up and leads to steep decline in his life and mental health. This was an important piece of literature because it showed the dark side of the supposed American Dream.

American Psycho (2000)

aaronfigcollege — 2025-03-10 02:34:49 UTC

The 2000's American Psycho follows wealthy business man Patrick Bateman that seems to be struggling with personality disorder and fights between his normal life and wanting to kill. This was a movie that blended a normal high life with the dark world of murder. His dark side ultimately leads him to lose touch or reality.

A Beautiful Mind (2001)

aaronfigcollege — 2025-03-10 03:25:24 UTC

The 2001 movie A Beautiful Mind is a very emotional movie about a genius Harvard mathematician who unknowingly to the people around him has schizophrenia. It worsen's and leads to a loss of reality and struggles of reacclimatizing. This movie is done very beautifully with a lot of thought and care done to the topic of mental illness and schizophrenia. It makes you sympathize, which is important with movies with these types of movies.

Dexter (2006–2013)

aaronfigcollege — 2025-03-10 03:43:26 UTC

Follows are protagonist Dexter who fights his dark desires to kill. As he tries to live a normal life he struggles with borderline personality disorder and his lack of social skills / anti social tendencies. Dexter is an entertaining spin of a killers attempt of fitting in, while having the audience behind his back b/c he only kills bad people.

HUMBLE. (2017, Kendrick Lamar)

aaronfigcollege — 2025-03-10 03:59:02 UTC

One of Kendrick Lamars most popular songs deals with struggles of fame, ego, and depression. "Be Humble, sit down." This shows Kendrick speaking to himself, and contemplating the people and the world around him. The audience hears him reflect on how overwhelming everything can be.

1-800-273-8255 (2017, Logic)

aaronfigcollege — 2025-03-11 04:33:42 UTC

This song by logic is the mental health song. It specifically addresses depression and suicide prevention. With the title of the song being the # of the suicide prevention hotline. The lyric "I don't wanna be alive" is very telling of what most of the track sounds like. It's very moving and shines a great light on mental illness and struggles related to it.

Joker (2019)

aaronfigcollege — 2025-03-11 04:38:10 UTC

This 2019 depiction of Joker by Joaquin Phoenix is said to be a very sad and wild depictions of the character Joker. It portrays the main character as a struggling comedian who is constantly struggling and abandoned in almost every way. Displays the societal role that comes into play for mental illness and the worst outcome of such. The Joker smile itself is said to represent the display of joy while hiding dark pain beneath it.

Bojack Horseman (2014–2020)

aaronfigcollege — 2025-03-11 04:44:10 UTC

The TV show Bojack Horseman follows the life of Bojack who is a washed up celebrity. The shows deals with heavy themes of depression, addiction, and anxiety. It's a very comedic show that does blend important and real topics into it. It is a more accurate depiction that fame does not buy happiness. Compared to other shows like reality TV like "Keeping Up with the Kardashians", although being entertaining are not usually very relatable.

You (2018–present)

aaronfigcollege — 2025-03-11 04:50:45 UTC

You is a TV show lightly based on Dexter following Joe Goldberg who is this stalker/obsessed/manipulator, who loves control, and falling in love. The show often critiques toxic societal behavior, touches on subjects like drug addiction, and Joe's eratomia or need for affection. Joe has obsessive compulsive disorder which needs him to be in control and know just about everything, which leads to his stalker behavior.

Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) (2010)

aaronfigcollege — 2025-03-11 04:55:55 UTC

Last Friday Night by Katy Perry, although being a great song, has a lot of signs of mental illness and self destructiveness. “It's a blacked-out blur, but I'm pretty sure it ruled” shows the need for escaping reality and recklessness. It's clear she made some bad decisions last Friday night and that drugs and alcohol were abused. The music video shows a loss of control and can symbolize a loss of control in her personal life and just maybe her mental health. Most people just see it as a popular 2010's pop song but I see it as a cry for help.