Staunton Star - Times - Published in the Interest of the Staunton Community for Over 143 Years

By Tom Emery

A surprising number of chief executives have suffered from mental health issues, including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and alcoholism. The list includes some of the best Presidents to ever hold the office.

A 2006 study from the Duke University Medical Center considered 37 Presidents through 1974, and determined that eighteen of them – almost half – met the criteria for a diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder. In ten cases, the mental illness was apparent during their time in office.

Many researchers believe that Abraham Lincoln endured periodic bouts of depressi...