11/12/2025
Carrie Fisher was one of Hollywood’s most courageous and honest voices when it came to mental health, especially her lifelong struggle with bipolar disorder. Long before conversations about mental illness were common, Fisher used her platform to speak openly about her experiences. She met her challenges with a mix of vulnerability, intelligence, and sharp humor that helped break the stigma around mental health.
Diagnosed in her twenties, Fisher often described bipolar disorder as living with “a mood swing with legs.” In her books, such as Wishful Drinking and The Princess Diarist, she shared what it felt like to live between extremes of mania and depression. Her manic periods brought energy, creativity, and restlessness, while her depressive phases left her exhausted and hopeless. She spoke plainly about how difficult it was to find balance through medication, therapy, and self-awareness, but she never hid the struggle.
What made Fisher stand out was her humor. She had a gift for making people laugh while she told the truth. “I am mentally ill. I can say that. I am not ashamed of that,” she once said. “Survive that, and you’ll have a sense of humor too.” Through her honesty and humor, she gave countless fans permission to speak about their own mental health without fear or shame.
While many know her as Princess Leia, her greatest legacy might be her openness about being human. She showed that living with bipolar disorder does not define a person’s worth or limit their creativity. Carrie Fisher’s voice continues to inspire because she faced her pain with honesty, courage, and compassion, and in doing so, helped others feel less alone.