mental illness

Mivhael Phelps

The most decorated Olympian of all time, Michael Phelps has been diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), an illness that has been part of his life since early childhood. Though it’s hard to imagine that Phelps suffers from mental illness, the famous swimmer was diagnosed with ADHS at 9.

And that’s basically why he started swimming. Participating in a competitive sport helped him manage the disorder, and he eventually fell in love with swimming. Here’s what he said:

I’m just different in the water. I just feel at home in it.

However, growing up was not easy for him. Phelps admitted that he felt stigmatized at school because he had to take his meds during lunchtime; moreover, his peers didn’t understand him and teachers had zero tolerance for his condition.

http://www.celebzen.com/16-celebrities-who-battle-mental-illness/8/