On this episode, I was beyond lucky enough to spend almost an hour with Major General Gregg F. Martin, US Army (Ret.) PhD! Simply, he is one of the smartest people walking. Insightful doesn't begin to explain this man, he has been through more than I could ever imagine; working his way to two Master's degrees and a PhD from M.I.T. and up to a two star general in the US Army, fighting the onset of bipolar disorder during the Iraq War, and having the presence of mind to ask for and accept help when he could no longer handle life at that time.
Seriously, this is a must watch for anyone living with bipolar disorder, supporting a loved one or a medical professional in the field of severe mental illness. This man knows what he is talking about and I promise you will come away more educated than before!
He developed a multi-disciplinary team that, combined with the trust he has with his loving family, helped him find the right combination of medication, therapy and healthy living that led to him living a fulfilling, happy and healthy life he enjoys today! We discussed mania, hallucinations, delusions, including those of grandeur and General Martin's sincere belief he had the answer to world peace, his childhood and being pre-disposed to bipolar disorder, how lithium saved his life and broke the depression, suicidal ideation, his 5 P's for successful living with bipolar disorder and the wonderful work he is doing as an expert with lived experience with Professor Leow and others at the University of Illinois-Chicago and the International Society for Bipolar Disorders.
His memoir serves as both an education and a source of inspiration, aiming to dispel the stigma around mental illness, alleviate suffering, and save lives, aligning with his personal mission. It tracks his journey through the ups and downs of bipolar disorder, career as an army officer, descent into a full manic episode, forced retirement, and the darkness of crippling depression and terrifying psychosis; recovery including (lithium and ECT), therapy and the value of finding a new healthy, fulfilling and joyous life with his wife, Maggie.
"In sharing my story, I hope to offer a beacon of hope, a spark of inspiration, the power of love and faith, and knowledge that could be life-saving."
Maj. Gen. Gregg F. Martin
1:15 - Overview of "Bipolar General, My Forever War with Bipolar Disorder "
Read More at www.bipolargeneral.com
4:30 - Predisposition to bipolar disorder and a slow build up to mania
7:00 - Extreme hyperthymia - mild form of mania - led to extreme success at West Point and his early years in the Army
-Some absolutely AMAZING stories here!!
11:00 - Onset of Bipolar disorder in 2003 during the Iraq War until full Mania in 2014 - More unbelievable stories of grandiosity ,religiosity and delusions of grandeur that will blow you away
15:00 - What does mania feel like? "I felt like Superman"
18:00 - The Downfall - How his military career came to an end, then went into a rage and anger which led to a crippling depression that led to a diagnosis.
23:00 - How lithium was the game changer that finally broke his depression.
26:00 - Our joint message: Take your MEDS!
27:00 - Passive vs. Active Suicidal Ideations - the importance of taking them all seriously.
32:00 - How the General found stability and how he maintains it.
There is so much gold in here, just listen!!
1. Medication
2. Therapy
3. Healthy Living
5 P's
People
Purpose or Mission
Place (If you are able)
Perseverance
Presence or Meta Cognition
38:00 - His wife, Maggie, is his biggest ally or his battle buddy.
42:00 - What it is like to have two sons living with bipolar disorder as well.
The importance of working as a team to find and maintain health
47:00 - His work as a bipolar lived experience expert with Professor Alex Leow at the University of Illinois-Chicago after meeting at the International Society for Bipolar Disorders in June. (ISBD.org)
Find more from Major General Gregg Martin and his book at www.bipolargeneral.com!
As always, thank you so much for watching, commenting, liking and sharing! Please visit my Instagram @benefits_of_bipolar and my website, benefitsofbipolar.com for more information on bipolar and severe mental illness!
Questions he answers; What does mania feel like in the moment? What is psychosis? What medication works for you? How did lithium affect you? What was it like living with bipolar during the war? What is bipolar? What does bipolar feel like?
#bipolar #mentalhealth #mentalillness #interview #therapy #wellness
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