RESEARCH_FILE
Michael A. Freeman
University of California, San Francisco
Known for:Empirical research on the prevalence of mental health conditions among entrepreneurs — finding rates significantly higher than comparison non-entrepreneur groups across depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, substance use conditions, and anxiety
SEE THE PRACTICE
Turn a thought this research explains into one clear move.
THE THOUGHT
“This week's numbers mean we're dead”
YOUR RECORDED RESPONSE
“This is a flat week, not a fatal one.”
ONE PRIVATE MOVE
Take 8 minutes to copy this week’s main metric into a note, then write three possible non-catastrophic reasons it might be flat. Leave the dashboard closed afterward and return to it later, if you still want to.
Key findings
- 2019
Freeman and colleagues found that approximately 49 % of 242 surveyed entrepreneurs self-reported at least one lifetime mental health condition — significantly higher rates than 93 comparison participants — spanning depression (30 %), ADHD (29 %), bipolar disorder (11 %), substance use conditions (12 %), and anxiety (27 %). The authors note the causal direction is complex, not a simple claim that these conditions either cause or block entrepreneurial success. Are Entrepreneurs 'Touched with Fire'? ↗