Mental health awareness is a major issue in American culture. Previously, most mental health conditions were met with significant and unfair stigma. That sentiment is becoming rarer as research shows us how complicated mental health really is. Interestingly, Marvel Comics has been a part of the discussion surrounding mental health for quite some time.
Sure, Marvel has made its fair share of missteps, just like the rest of American society has, but the comic publisher has also introduced its readers to several sympathetic protagonists who were struggling with these problems. By highlighting these heroes, Marvel's helped further the discussion surrounding mental health and has helped people understand that even the strongest among us can need help.
10 Daredevil - Depression
Daredevil has had an incredibly dark history. He's probably had more of his love interests murdered than any other Marvel hero. Some of DD's greatest stories, such as Born Again and Guardian Devil, involve his psyche being totally dismantled.
It should be no surprise then to learn that Matt Murdock has suffered severe, long-term bouts of depression over the course of his crime-fighting career. With sheer determination and the help of his friends, Matt is able to push through this darkness. His depression has nevertheless returned at several moments in his career.
9 Legion - Dissociative Identity Disorder
Although often portrayed as an enemy of the X-Men, Legion has also spent his fair share of time fighting alongside Marvel's favorite mutant heroes. The son of Charles Xavier, Legion, carries with him many great powers. Unfortunately, they come at a cost.
Each power Legion possesses comes with a unique personality. This means Legion suffers from a dissociative identity disorder. Some of his personalities have good intentions. Others, not so much.
8 Storm - Claustrophobia
One of the most powerful, and most popular, members of the X-Men, Ororo Munroe has nearly mastered her weather-controlling abilities. There are very few ways to stop her and only a few weaknesses that she possesses.
One of those weaknesses in a debilitating case of claustrophobia. After being buried under tons of rubble, Storm developed an intense fear of tight spaces. This is the case so much so that Ororo will enter a near-catatonic state if she is forced into any sort of tight space.
7 Hank Pym - Bipolar Disorder
Hank Pym is a founding member of the Avengers and an absolute staple of the Marvel Universe. He's taken on many superhero identities, from Ant-Man to Giant-Man and even Yellowjacket.
Nobody's perfect, however. Known for his volatility, Hank has a hard time controlling his temper. At one time he even hit his wife, Janet. This is due to Hank's mental illness, bipolar disorder. While there is no excuse for many of his actions, it is important to note that there is more going on with Hank than meets the eye.
6 Sentry - Schizophrenia
Robert Reynolds, aka the Sentry, has a very complicated history as a hero. His fractured psyche contains not only Sentry but also the villainous supervillain known as the void. While this symptom can be attributed to dissociative identity disorder, it is Robert's schizophrenia that haunts him the most.
Since his debut in New Avengers, comic book readers have watched as Sentry's psyche continues to deteriorate. It is a sobering reminder of a real mental illness that many people have to deal with in the real world.
5 Hulk - Intermittent Explosive Disorder
While Hulk is another character that could easily be labeled with dissociative identity disorder, it seems that there is much more going on beneath the surface here. A group of clinical psychologists analyzed and diagnosed the Hulk's mental health. They determined that he suffers from an intermittent explosive disorder.
Described as "recurrent behavioral outbursts representing a failure to control aggressive impulses" this disorder explains why Hulk can't control his anger. In some of his tamer forms, such as Professor Hulk, it seems as though this mental illness goes away. Let's hope the jolly green giant can get the help he needs.
4 Scarlet Witch - Psychotic Break
In the Avengers: Disassembled and House of M storylines, Scarlet Witch suffered a psychotic break. Often occurring after severe emotional trauma, Wanda had her break when she lost her children.
With a lot of help and time to heal, Wanda was able to regain some semblance of her former self. This serves as a great reminder to the rest of us that no matter how bad someone's mental health gets, with support and the proper treatment, they can be saved.
3 Jessica Jones - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
When Brian Michael Bendis created Jessica Jones in 2001, she quickly became one of Marvel's most iconic characters. She is without a doubt the most iconic character to debut in recent decades. What made her so special wasn't her powers, but rather her battle with mental illness.
Having been repeatedly abused by the Purple Man, Jessica was forever changed. She carried with her the trauma of his abuse for many years. Eventually, she was able to overcome her trauma, burying those traumatic memories in the past where they belonged.
2 Moon Knight - Dissociative Identity Disorder
Perhaps the hero most well-known for his mental illness is Moon Knight. Often described as Batman with multiple personality disorder, Moon Knight's illness has made his fight against crime quite difficult.
Many issues of Moon Knight comics involved the hero not only battling psychopathic villains, but also his own psyche. His struggle to both remain sane and save the innocent makes for some very compelling stories.
1 Deadpool - Psychosis
Deadpool has constantly battled his fractured psyche throughout his comic book existence. It turns out that while his regenerative healing factor does protect against physical injury, it also greatly damages his mental health, resulting in severe psychosis.
While oftentimes it is easy to treat Deadpool's strange behavior as a joke, it is important to note that his abnormal behavior is caused by a severe mental disorder. As "crazy" as he may appear at times, at Deadpools core is a good man with a good heart. This is the case with many individuals suffering from psychosis. It might be easy to write them off as "crazy," but in reality, they just need help.