Podcasts about bipolar general my forever war

During a decades long career in the United States Army, Gregg Martin just kept on succeeding. Star cadet at West Point, getting promoted up to two-start General, earning PhD degrees along the way, and receiving glowing evaluations all the while for his boundless energy and enthusiasm. He now knows that he was operating under a condition called hyperthymia, being in a constant state of near mania. After a deployment to Iraq, Gregg's mania kicked into high gear and was accompanied by bouts of deep depression. It would take many years of further promotion and misdiagnosis before Gregg's behavior became so erratic that his life fell apart and his bipolar disorder was finally identified. Then he had to figure out how to get better. He tells his story in this interview and in his book Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness.We get a preview of the episode at the top from listener Ken Fredette, who says the episode has stayed with him since it originally aired.Thank you to all our listeners who support the show as monthly members of Maximum Fun.Check out our I'm Glad You're Here and Depresh Mode merchandise at the brand new merch website MaxFunStore.com!Hey, remember, you're part of Depresh Mode and we want to hear what you want to hear about. What guests and issues would you like to have covered in a future episode? Write us at depreshmode@maximumfun.org.Help is available right away.The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 or 1-800-273-8255, 1-800-273-TALKCrisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741.International suicide hotline numbers available here: https://www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines 

Major General Gregg F. Martin is a 36-year Army Combat Veteran, Airborne-Ranger-Engineer Soldier, Army Strategist, a PhD and Double Master's MIT Graduate, and West Point Graduate. He is also an accomplished Author, and a survivor of Bipolar Disorder. Tune in as Gregg shares his journey through this mental illness, including his highs and lows with mania, depression, suicidality, and more. He talks about his 5 elemental P's that were key to his recovery. And while being a Bipolar survivor and thriver, he explains why he will be at war against the disorder for the rest of his life, as covered in his book, Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness. To connect with Gregg, can be found on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregg-f-martin-222735aa/To pick up a copy of his book, visit www.generalgreggmartin.com For additional information on depression and Bipolar Disorder, Gregg also recommends the following resources:The National Alliance on Mental Illness: www.nami.org The National Institute of Mental Health: www.nimh.nih.gov Resources in Mental Health and Resiliency. www.grithope.com Device that tracks sleep and brain patterns, by the University of Illinois: www.Biaffect.com

General Gregg Martin's story in the Military with bipolar disorder illustrates how mental illness, while challenging, can be managed with proper understanding and treatment. Through medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes, Martin regained control over his mental health after years of undiagnosed hyperthymia and mania. Those with bipolar disorder can live fulfilling lives.   Gregg F. Martin, PhD, is a retired Major General of the US Army with a distinguished 36-year career. A West Point graduate with advanced degrees from MIT and war colleges, Martin held numerous high-ranking positions, including President of the National Defense University. He commanded troops in Iraq and served in various leadership roles throughout his career.    Diagnosed with bipolar disorder type 1 in 2014, Martin has since become an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness, particularly within the military community. He shares his experiences through his book "Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness" and public speaking engagements, working to reduce stigma and improve support for those facing mental health challenges.   Key Takeaways    Understanding Bipolar Disorder: Martin explains bipolar disorder as a mood disorder characterized by cycles of mania and depression. He describes his experiences with both states, including periods of extreme productivity and creativity during mania, followed by debilitating depression. Crisis and Diagnosis: Martin's bipolar disorder fully manifested while he was president of the National Defense University, leading to erratic behavior and his eventual removal from the position. He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder type 1 in 2014, at the age of 58. Recovery and Management: Martin's recovery involved finding the right medication, undergoing therapy, and adopting a healthy lifestyle. He emphasizes the importance of having a purpose, supportive relationships, and maintaining a structured routine. Mental Health in the Military: Through his book "Bipolar General" and public speaking, Martin works to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness, particularly in the military. He advocates for better understanding and support for those with mental health issues.   Sponsors and Promotions   Zbiotics: Go to zbiotics.com/DIVINE to get 15% off your first order when you use DIVINE at checkout. ZBiotics is backed with 100% money back guarantee so if you're unsatisfied for any reason, they'll refund your money, no questions asked.   Henson Shaving: Go to https://hensonshaving.com and enter DIVINE at checkout to get 100 free blades with your purchase. (Note: you must add both the 100-blade pack and the razor for the discount to apply.)   SealFit ElectroGreens: Fuel your body and conquer your limits with SealFit ElectroGreens - a USDA organic superfood packed with over 25 organic fruits, vegetables, and electrolytes. Head to Amazon, search for "SealFit ElectroGreens," and use code SEALGREENS25 at checkout for 25% off your order.  Links for Gregg F. Martin Website LinkedIn Instagram Twitter Book: Bipolar General

MG (Ret.) Gregg Martin had a distinguished career, serving in various deployments and eventually heading the National Defense University. But, over the course of that career, he slowly started to develop manic tendencies, which became more and more pronounced, eventually leading to his forced resignation, staying at a VA psychiatric ward, and receiving a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with MG (Ret.) Martin to discuss his book Bipolar General: My Forever War Against Mental Illness, the highs and lows of his career (and illness), and how family and routine led him to a new life of recovery and joy.   Guest: MG (Ret.) Gregg Martin, U.S. Army & Author of “Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness”   Many thanks to our Presenting Advertiser: General Dynamics Land Systems   Has a member of the Army changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA's Army Matters podcast!   AUSA's Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern  You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath.    Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA's educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate. Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at podcast@ausa.org. Disclaimer: AUSA's Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.

Podcast Episode Show Notes, part 2: "Major General Gregg F. Martin"Introduction: In the second episode featuring Major General Gregg F. Martin conversation extends to the prevalence of bipolar disorder in the military, addressing the significant challenges faced by service members. Major General Martin underscores the persistent stigma surrounding mental health issues and acknowledges the positive strides made in mental health support within the military while acknowledging the remaining hurdles.Medication Cocktail and Treatment ApproachMental illness treatment often involves a trial-and-error process to find the right medication and therapy combination.Gregg highlights the importance of a holistic, multidimensional approach to mental health care, involving medication, therapy, and support from various professionals.Quality of Psychiatric Care in VA HospitalsGregg shares his positive experience with the psychiatric department at White River Junction VA, emphasizing its exceptional quality compared to other VA hospitals.However, he acknowledges that the standard of care may vary across different VA facilities due to factors like size and patient volume.Prevalence of Mental Illness in the MilitaryGregg suggests that the military environment, characterized by stress and high-energy expectations, may contribute to a higher prevalence of mental health conditions like bipolar disorder.There has been progress in the military's approach to mental health, allowing service members with conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety to continue serving with proper treatment.Promoting Mental Health Awareness and RecoveryGregg's book, "Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness," aims to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote recovery strategies for individuals struggling with mental illness.The discussion emphasizes the importance of seeking timely help and effective treatment to prevent the detrimental impact of untreated mental illness.Personal Experience with Bipolar DisorderGregg provides insights into the manic and depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder, describing the euphoria and grandiosity of mania contrasted with the lethargy and despair of depression.He underscores the biological nature of mental illnesses, emphasizing that they are not character flaws but physiological conditions affecting brain function.Topics: bipolar disorder survivor, bipolar survivor, bipolar disorder in the military 

Imagine the weight of command in combat intertwined with the silent battle of mental illness. In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we sat down with General Gregg Martin, who fought a tremendous battle with bipolar disorder all while navigating an accomplished career in the military.Gregg is sharing his story of resilience in the face of a disorder that pushed him into profound mania and deep depression. He is now passionate about helping shatter the stigma around bipolar disorder so that anyone struggling with this illness can stop suffering in silence and get the treatment that can change the trajectory of their lives. Gregg Martin, PhD. is a retired major general and a 36-year Army combat veteran, celebrated for his remarkable career commanding engineer units and holding prestigious roles such as president of the National Defense University, and commander of Fort Leonard Wood. An accomplished author, his book “BIPOLAR GENERAL: My Forever War with Mental Illness” candidly shares his journey. With advanced degrees from MIT, the Naval War College, and the Army War College, Gregg's indomitable spirit offers hope and inspiration to others, while he finds strength and joy alongside his wife in Cocoa Beach, Florida.  In today's episode, we cover: Gregg's experience with bipolar disorder while serving in the militaryWhat happened when his disorder became out of control How your self-perception shifts when you are manic versus depressedGregg's journey to getting his diagnosis and how it helped him begin his recoveryWhy we have to get rid of the stigma around getting helpThe power medication and treatment have to turn your life around How important hope is during your healing journey How people perceive mental illnessHow we can begin to normalize the conversations around mental healthWe hope you enjoyed our conversation with General Gregg! If you want to learn more from him, make sure to visit his website and get a copy of his book. You can also follow him on LinkedIn. Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! Links: Visit his website Connect with him on LinkedInVisit our websiteFollow us on FacebookFollow us on InstagramGet in touch: amgits.reverse@gmail.com“Without help for mental illness, a person is probably going to go down a road of destruction and even death. But if they do get help, professional medical help, there are treatments available that can lead to a happy, purposeful, healthy life.” -Gregg“Illness or disease and injury in your brain are not the same things.” -Marc “There is no weakness in being vulnerable.” -Erik 

Today, we talk with author and retired Major General Gregg Martin. Gregg F. Martin, PhD, Major General, US Army (Retired), served on active duty for 36 years, until May 2015. He is a combat veteran, Bipolar Survivor, Airborne-Ranger-Engineer qualified soldier, and Army Strategist. General Martin recently released his new book - The Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness - published by the Naval Institute Press. Learn about his struggle with mental illness, why he wrote the book, and how he manages his health today. Learn more here: https://www.generalgreggmartin.com/ Buy the book on Amazon.

During a decades long career in the United States Army, Gregg Martin just kept on succeeding. Star cadet at West Point, getting promoted up to two-start General, earning PhD degrees along the way, and receiving glowing evaluations all the while for his boundless energy and enthusiasm. He now knows that he was operating under a condition called hyperthymia, being in a constant state of near mania. After a deployment to Iraq, Gregg's mania kicked into high gear and was accompanied by bouts of deep depression. It would take many years of further promotion and misdiagnosis before Gregg's behavior became so erratic that his life fell apart and his bipolar disorder was finally identified. Then he had to figure out how to get better. He tells his story in this interview and in his book Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness.Thank you to all our listeners who support the show as monthly members of Maximum Fun.Check out our I'm Glad You're Here and Depresh Mode merchandise at the brand new merch website MaxFunStore.com!Hey, remember, you're part of Depresh Mode and we want to hear what you want to hear about. What guests and issues would you like to have covered in a future episode? Write us at depreshmode@maximumfun.org.Help is available right away.The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 or 1-800-273-8255, 1-800-273-TALKCrisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741.International suicide hotline numbers available here: https://www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlinesThe Depresh Mode newsletter is available twice a week. Subscribe for free and stay up to date on the show and mental health issues. https://johnmoe.substack.com/John's acclaimed memoir, The Hilarious World of Depression, is now available in paperback. https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250209566/thehilariousworldofdepressionFind the show on X @depreshpod and Instagram @depreshpod.John is on X @johnmoe.

On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we host Major General Gregg Martin. During his 36-year career, MG Martin commanded the Corps of Engineers Northwest Division and served as Commandant of the Army Engineer School, President of the National Defense University and Special Assistant to the Chief of Engineers. He is also the author of Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness. By 2014, MG Martin had been unknowingly living with bipolar disorder. After several anonymous reports of his behavior, General Dempsey ordered a series of assessments and ultimately relieved Martin of duty. When Martin reported to Walter Reed, he was diagnosed with bipolarism. In 2015, Martin medically retired with no continuity of care plan. Today, the military is not allowing that same scenario to happen for service members being medically retired with mental health issues. The military is making an intentional effort to normalize the conversation regarding mental health and providing education through workshops, training and forums. The military is looking for ways to accommodate and keep service members in the force. After retiring from the military, MG Martin fell into such deep depression that he was checked into an inpatient VA psych ward. After two weeks of intensive care provided by a multidisciplinary team, Martin spent the following four weeks living in a dorm inside of the hospital. Once he began taking a new prescription of Lithium, his symptoms subsided, and he began to regain control of his life. In addition to relocating to Florida, Martin reconnected with his family and maintains regular therapy sessions and daily medication. He prioritizes a healthy lifestyle with plenty of exercise and sleep. MG Martin anchors his life using the five P's – Purpose, People, Place, Perseverance, Presence. For Martin, his new purpose is destigmatizing mental issues and promoting recovery. He surrounds himself with positive and energetic people and chose to relocate to sunny Florida for its health benefits. He perseveres through his challenges and has the presence of mind to get outside of his own thinking and think objectively about his thought patterns. As an advocate for mental health awareness, MG Martin has written over 20 articles that have appeared in publications including Psychology Today, Psychiatric Times, Boston Globe and Soldier Magazine. In addition, he has spoken to over a hundred audiences about mental health. His book, Bipolar General, includes medical research that is woven into his own personal journey with bipolarism.Gregg Martin urges anyone who feels like they may have a mental health condition to seek help immediately. Untreated mental illness can ruin a marriage, career and finances. It can lead to homelessness, addiction, incarceration and even death.Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22Connect with MG Martin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregg-f-martin-222735aa/Explore Bipolar General at https://www.generalgreggmartin.com/Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4vSUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as AAFMA, the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association is the longest-standing nonprofit association offering life insurance, wealth management, mortgages, survivor assistance and more. AAFMA is dedicated to helping servicemembers be ready for life after the military. AAFMAA would like to offer you their free Transition Timeline, a guide to help you create a solid military transition plan. Let AAFMAA help you get ready for your next step by visiting www.aafmaa.com/ll4v.

Today, we're diving into a fascinating story that's making waves in both military and mental health circles. This is the story of Maj. Gen. Gregg Martin, an individual who's openly challenging the stigma associated with mental illness, particularly within the military. Martin, who has bravely self-identified as the 'Bipolar General,' initially saw his bipolar disorder as an asset during his service in Iraq. It made him feel invincible, fearless, and ready to face any situation. However, upon returning home, he found himself battling severe depression. Despite seeking help, he was told there was nothing wrong with him. This is a scenario far too common in our society, where mental health issues often go unnoticed or dismissed. Martin's experience highlights the urgent need for mental health advocacy, especially among public safety professionals. The fear of negative career impacts prevents many from seeking help they desperately need. Martin himself was forced to step down from his role as president of the National Defense University due to his mental health struggles. This fear of seeking help, combined with the lack of understanding, can lead to worsening symptoms, as it did for Martin. He experienced delusions and erratic behavior before he finally received appropriate care two years later. We know that bipolar disorder is a treatable condition. The VA treats over 130,000 veterans annually for the disorder. But despite increasing its mental health staff, the demand for mental healthcare remains high. This is a clear indication that we need more resources, understanding, and acceptance when it comes to mental health issues, especially in high-stress professions like the military and public safety roles. Martin wrote a memoir titled "Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness," hoping to break down the military's existing taboo against seeking help for mental health issues. He's waging a war, not on the battlefield, but against the stigma of mental illness. Martin's story is a rallying call for all of us. It's a reminder that mental health matters, irrespective of your profession or position in society. It's a call to reduce the stigma surrounding bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions, promoting the understanding that these are treatable diseases, not sources of shame. In his own words, Martin considers his advocacy work and sharing his personal journey with bipolar disorder to be the most significant work he's ever done. And we can all play a part in this important work by advocating for mental health in our circles, by educating ourselves and others, and by supporting those who are bravely fighting their battles against mental illness. Thank you for joining us today as we explored Major General Gregg Martin's inspiring journey. Remember, mental health matters, and together, we can break the stigma."

“I was born with a bipolar brain, and that I lived on the bipolar spectrum pretty much my whole life.”- Gregg Martin. In this episode, Sharlee Dixon speaks with retired Major General Gregg Martin. Gregg Martin, PhD, is a retired major general and a 36-year Army combat veteran, celebrated for his remarkable career commanding engineer units and holding prestigious roles such as president of the National Defense University, and commander of Fort Leonard Wood. Gregg is an accomplished author, his book Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness, candidly shares his journey. With advanced degrees from MIT, the Naval War College, and the Army War College, Gregg's indomitable spirit offers hope and inspiration to others. We're excited to have Gregg with us today to discuss Bipolar Disorder, his book The Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness and his experiences with his Bipolar diagnosis.   For more information about Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness please visit: https://www.amazon.com/Bipolar-General-Forever-Illness-Association/dp/1682479188 For more information about Major General Gregg Martin, please visit: https://www.generalgreggmartin.com For more information about Grit Hope, please visit: https://grithope.com For more information about BiAffect, please visit: https://www.biaffect.com

Gregg Martin, PhD, is a retired major general and a 36-year Army combat veteran, celebrated for his remarkable career commanding engineer units and holding prestigious roles such as president of the National Defense University, and commander of Fort Leonard Wood. An accomplished author, his book “BIPOLAR GENERAL: My Forever War with Mental Illness” candidly shares his journey. With advanced degrees from MIT, the Naval War College, and the Army War College, Gregg's indomitable spirit offers hope and inspiration to others, while he finds strength and joy alongside his wife Maggie in Cocoa Beach, Florida.

Mark shares an incredible conversation from The Dr. Joe Show with retired Army Major General Gregg Martin, about his experiences with bipolar disorder from the manic peaks that propelled his career to the depressive troughs that have now inspired his dedication to aiding others in managing their mental health. Get your copy of Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness! This episode was originally heard on The Dr. Joe Show. Affiliate Links: Unleashing the Power of Respect: The I-M Approach by Joseph Shrand, MD

In a powerful conversation about mental health, retired Major General Gregg Martin shares his struggle with bipolar disorder after serving in Iraq. With the stigma surrounding mental health in the military, he faced challenges and received anonymous letters questioning his mental state. But what happened when General Martin was presented with a choice that could change his life forever? Find out in this gripping episode of Beyond the Rut.The Ups and Downs of Bipolar DisorderHave you ever heard these myths about mental health in veterans? Myth #1: Only veterans with combat experience suffer from mental health issues. Myth #2: Seeking help is a sign of weakness. Myth #3: Time will heal all wounds. Stay tuned as our guest, Maj. Gen. Gregg Martin, debunks these myths and shares the truth about the importance of mental health in veterans.In this episode, you will be able to:Discover the importance of prioritizing mental health in your transition to civilian life.Explore the power of peer support in maintaining your mental well-being.Learn effective strategies for overcoming the stigma surrounding mental health in the veteran community.My special guest is MG (Ret.) Gregg MartinRetired Major General Gregg Martin, a highly accomplished U.S. Army veteran, joins Jerry Dugan on this episode of Beyond the Rut. With a military career spanning several decades, General Martin brings a wealth of firsthand experience and knowledge to the topic of mental health in veterans. His newest book, Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness, details his personal journey with bipolar disorder and sheds light on the importance of proactive support and help-seeking for veterans transitioning back into civilian life. Through his advocacy work, General Martin aims to improve the mental health and overall well-being of veterans by promoting awareness and destigmatizing mental health issues. With his extensive background and deep commitment to the cause, General Martin offers valuable insights and practical advice for veterans and their families. Tune in to this enlightening conversation and gain a deeper understanding of the importance of prioritizing mental health in the veteran community.Chapters00:05:16 - Bipolar Disorder Unmasked 00:07:42 - Discovery and Resignation 00:09:47 - Misdiagnosis and Bipolar Spiral 00:10:06 - Gratitude and Survival 00:14:54 - The Start of the Bipolar Journey 00:16:05 - Support from General Dempsey 00:17:31 - Support from Family and Friends 00:18:29 - Importance of Medical Professionals 00:22:25 - Overcoming Stigma 00:30:17 - ImportanGo to BeyondTheRut.com/capsho for your free 14-day trial and see for yourself. Click on BeyondTheRut.com/capsho to claim your free 14-day trial and see for yourself. Click on BeyondTheRut.com/capsho to claim your free 14-day trial and see for yourself.Support the showMusic Hopeful Camping Folk | Camping by Alex-Productions | https://youtu.be/aUHdSwhiNVU Music promoted by https://onsound.eu/ Go to BeyondTheRut.com/capsho for your free 14-day trial and see for yourself. Click on BeyondTheRut.com/capsho to claim your free 14-day trial and see for yourself. Support the show

FEATURED RESEARCHERAlex Leow, PhDProfessor of Psychiatry University of Illinois ChicagoOn X @alexfeuillet and LinkedInFEATURED PARTNERGregg F. Martin, PhDMajorGeneral, U.S. Army (Ret.)Author of Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental IllnessOn X @GenGreggMartin & LinkedIn If you would like to see your interdisciplinary team featured on the podcast, reach out to me at laurenw@uic.edu.Interested in volunteering to participate in health research? Today's researchers want to make sure that treatments and cures are designed for everyone's unique needs. Are you ready to make a difference? Learn more at go.uic.edu/healthresearch. The University of Illinois Chicago Center for Clinical and Translational Science is supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, through Grant UL1TR002003. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

FEATURED RESEARCHERAlex Leow, PhDProfessor of Psychiatry University of Illinois ChicagoOn X @alexfeuillet and LinkedInFEATURED PARTNERGregg F. Martin, PhDMajorGeneral, U.S. Army (Ret.)Author of Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental IllnessOn X @GenGreggMartin & LinkedIn If you would like to see your interdisciplinary team featured on the podcast, reach out to me at laurenw@uic.edu.Interested in volunteering to participate in health research? Today's researchers want to make sure that treatments and cures are designed for everyone's unique needs. Are you ready to make a difference? Learn more at go.uic.edu/healthresearch. The University of Illinois Chicago Center for Clinical and Translational Science is supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, through Grant UL1TR002003. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

FEATURED PARTNERGregg F. Martin, PhDMajor General, U.S. Army (Ret.)Author of Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental IllnessREFERENCED MATERIALNIMH Understanding PsychosisNIMH Bipolar DisorderMisdiagnosis Rates If you would like to see your interdisciplinary team featured on the podcast, reach out to me at laurenw@uic.edu.Interested in volunteering to participate in health research? Today's researchers want to make sure that treatments and cures are designed for everyone's unique needs. Are you ready to make a difference? Learn more at go.uic.edu/healthresearch.The University of Illinois Chicago Center for Clinical and Translational Science is supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, through Grant UL1TR002003. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

We discuss Bipolar "Disorder", the Condition of Mania vs Burnout, Seasonal Affective Disorder, and MOREGregg Martin, PhD, is a retired major general and a 36-year Army combat veteran, celebrated for his remarkable career commanding engineer units and holding prestigious roles such as president of the National Defense University, and commander of Fort Leonard Wood. An accomplished author, his book "BIPOLAR GENERAL: My Forever War with Mental Illness" candidly shares his journey. With advanced degrees from MIT, the Naval War College, and the Army War College, Gregg's indomitable spirit offers hope and inspiration to others, while he finds strength and joy alongside his wife Maggie in Cocoa Beach, Florida.QUOTE: “Maintain an attitude of gratitude in ALL circumstances!” Alongside his military achievements, Gregg is an accomplished author, known for his book “BIPOLAR GENERAL: My Forever War with Mental Illness,” where he candidly shares his personal struggles and triumphs. He holds advanced degrees from MIT (a PhD and two master's degrees), the Naval War College, and the Army War College, in addition to his BS degree from West Point. Currently residing in Cocoa Beach, Florida, he finds strength and support in his loving wife, making the most of life's simple joys together. Gregg Martin's journey exemplifies the indomitable spirit, offering hope and inspiration to others facing adversity in their lives.Today's Top 3 Takeaways: Bipolar - Mania vs BurnoutLithium TherapySeasonal Affective Disorder Today's Guest & Resource Links: Visit - www.generalgreggmartin.comHis book is live on Amazon! - https://amzn.to/47iN7XTConnect with Gregg - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregg-f-martin-222735aa Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XTDnWlxzFro Timestamped Show Notes: 05:00 – I wasn't diagnosed until I was actually in my 50s. So the background on this is looking back now in working with experts, psychiatrists, I now know that I was living on the bipolar spectrum from teenage years. So in, I always had a, what they call a bipolar brain. But at first, it was a very low level of mania.10:00 – Mania is really the opposite of burnout. Because with mania, you're going continuously up, up, up until you blow up and come crashing down to earth. So the manic side of the cycle is up up more and more energy, less sleep, more grandiosity, etc. Then I would say, what goes up must come down. So when you reach a peak level, and your brain is over producing these key chemicals, when it's time to go the other way, the brain stops producing as much, and it gets fewer and fewer of these chemicals. Then that's when you hit the burnout, you fall into depression, and your brain essentially begins to shut down. I mean, no energy, withdrawn, confused, you can't make a decision, can't get out of bed, can't go to work. That's where I think the burnout comes in. It's just the natural byproduct of the mania.20:00 - Scott, you've actually given me a good idea, and something to think about. Maybe we have a little more specificity in who is my buddy, in what area I've given down here. You know, all my friends that, because I've written about 25 articles in close to 100 talks, everybody knows, Martin has a bipolar disorder. What I've done is I've given them these little cards that showed the symptoms of mania and depression. I've talked to them and said, okay, look, read this, do you understand it, if you see me displaying any of these symptoms,...

Gregg Martin is a Two-Star Army General who served in the US Army for 35 years. Gregg's book: BIPOLAR GENERAL: My Forever War with Mental Illness, was published on September 15, 2023. Gregg joins us for a second time to discuss how his book is doing, updates on his mental health, everything he's been up to since our first interview, and so much more. You don't want to miss this interview filled with Gregg's authentic and raw battle with bipolar disorder.    You can check out Gregg's website here: https://www.generalgreggmartin.com You can order Gregg's book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1682479188 Check out our First Interview – Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/going-places/id1534358929?i=1000524019139 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3UhX9vvrkIFoVFTdwxi3u8?si=471bb7b8bbd94031 Podbean: https://goingplacespodcast.podbean.com/e/gregg-martin-a-two-star-generals-war-with-bipolar-disorder/   TW: There is reference to suicidal ideation and severe mental health challenges in this episode. Gregg shares everything about his difficult battles throughout deep moments of mania and depression.

We're honored to speak with retired Army Major General Gregg Martin about his struggle with bipolar condition, from the manic highs that fueled his career, to the lows that led to his current mission of helping others with their mental health! Get your copy of Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness! Please consider supporting us on Patreon!

FEATURINGMajor General Gregg Martin, PhD (retired)The Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness The University of Illinois Chicago Center for Clinical and Translational Science is supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, through Grant UL1TR002003. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Conventional wisdom has long held that countries, and even businesses, should not be run by those suffering from mental illness, especially during times of war or other dramatic challenges. Dr. Nassir Ghaemi, Director of the Mood Disorder Program at Tufts Medical Center and Professor of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine, disputes this notion. In his book A First-Rate Madness and other writings, he lays out a compelling case that in times of crisis, we are actually better off being led by mentally ill leaders than by mentally normal ones.David Priess and Nassir talked about the challenges (and surprising advantages) of assessing the mental illnesses of historical figures; the lingering impact of Freudian psychoanalysis within the psychiatric community; why the best crisis leaders are either mentally ill or mentally abnormal; the differences between mental illness and extreme personality; the indicators of manic depression; the cases of Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, William Sherman, Franklin Roosevelt, John Kennedy, and Adolf Hitler; enduring stigmas associated with mental illness; Nassir's father's political activism and its influence on his son; the American Psychiatric Association's "Goldwater Rule" against offering a professional psychiatric opinion without a patient examination and proper authorization; and more.Among the works mentioned in this episode:The book A First-Rate Madness by Nassir GhaemiMemoirs of Emil KraepelinThe book Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness by Gregg MartinChatter is a production of Lawfare and Goat Rodeo. This episode was produced and edited by Cara Shillenn of Goat Rodeo. Podcast theme by David Priess, featuring music created using Groovepad.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Conventional wisdom has long held that countries, and even businesses, should not be run by those suffering from mental illness, especially during times of war or other dramatic challenges. Dr. Nassir Ghaemi, Director of the Mood Disorder Program at Tufts Medical Center and Professor of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine, disputes this notion. In his book A First-Rate Madness and other writings, he lays out a compelling case that in times of crisis, we are actually better off being led by mentally ill leaders than by mentally normal ones.David Priess and Nassir talked about the challenges (and surprising advantages) of assessing the mental illnesses of historical figures; the lingering impact of Freudian psychoanalysis within the psychiatric community; why the best crisis leaders are either mentally ill or mentally abnormal; the differences between mental illness and extreme personality; the indicators of manic depression; the cases of Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, William Sherman, Franklin Roosevelt, John Kennedy, and Adolf Hitler; enduring stigmas associated with mental illness; Nassir's father's political activism and its influence on his son; the American Psychiatric Association's "Goldwater Rule" against offering a professional psychiatric opinion without a patient examination and proper authorization; and more.Among the works mentioned in this episode:The book A First-Rate Madness by Nassir GhaemiMemoirs of Emil KraepelinThe book Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness by Gregg MartinChatter is a production of Lawfare and Goat Rodeo. This episode was produced and edited by Cara Shillenn of Goat Rodeo. Podcast theme by David Priess, featuring music created using Groovepad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gregg F. Martin, PhD, Major General, U.S. Army (Ret.) talks about his new book "Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness."

If you're in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, find help in your area with Find a Helpline.When you purchase an item after clicking a link here, we may earn a commission. It's an easy way to support our work.U.S. Army General Gregg Martin was forced to retire from the military when he experienced a mental health crisis. He shared that story in detail when I spoke with him last December.His book, Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness, is now available.In my latest conversation, we focused more on his success since his diagnosis.A vital part of thriving for Gregg has been finding a sense of purpose. He explains:Once I began my road to recovery seven years ago and moved to Florida, my big question was, “What is my mission? What is my purpose?”I played around with that for a couple of years and talked to different mentors, read a lot of literature on this subject and looked to spiritual materials as well. Then, finally, after a couple of years, it came to me that my mission was staring me right in the face.It was contained inside my brain, which was sharing my bipolar story to help stop the stigma, promote healing, and save lives. I mean, that is a mission that is important. It's larger than myself. It serves others.Having a deep sense of purpose contributes to good mental health, whether or not you have a mental health diagnosis.Gregg shared some advice to help you find your purpose. Reflecting on his experience, he suggested that deep reflection is a crucial first step, taking time to write down your thoughts.He proposes a thought question: "How can I use my experiences, the good, the bad and the ugly, to contribute to society, to help other people, to help them better deal with problems and challenges they may be having?”By pondering that question, you can find a sense of mission and purpose that is unique to you. The feeling of ownership and personal connection could empower and energize you.Throughout his successful career, including the period following retirement, Gregg has deployed his superpower, an ability to accomplish hard things.AI Episode Summary* Retired U.S. Army General Gregg Martin joins host Devin Thorpe on the Superpowers for Good Show to discuss his book and advocacy for mental health awareness.* Gregg was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which led to his retirement from the military, and he has since become an advocate for mental health.* His book, Bipolar General, tells the story of his military career, mental health crisis, and recovery, providing lessons and insights.* Gregg believes that purpose is important in overcoming mental health challenges, as it provides motivation and a sense of meaning.* He suggests reflecting on experiences and passions to determine how they can be used to contribute to society and help others.* Gregg also emphasizes the importance of positive self-talk, exercise, and finding spiritual inspiration in building self-confidence and motivation.* While the priority of mind, body, and spirit may change depending on the situation, all three aspects play a role in managing mental health.* Martin's book, published by the Naval Institute Press, is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other platforms.* He can be hired as a speaker through his website, generalgreggmartin.com, or via email at GreggMartin79@gmail.com.* Martin expresses gratitude for the work being done by Thorpe and the Superpowers for Good Show in helping people and saving lives.How to Develop the Ability to Accomplish Hard Things As a SuperpowerGregg admits that his bipolar brain gave him an advantage in developing his ability to accomplish hard things. He explains:Throughout my life, I've had the opportunity to accomplish many big things–graduate of West Point, graduate of Army Ranger School, have run seven sub-three-hour marathons, including a 2:36. I got into MIT, where I earned two master's degrees and a Ph.D. in a relatively short period of time. I had a successful army career, which was very challenging; I rose all the way to two-star general. I've been married for 40 years, have three terrific sons and a grandson. So I've been able to do a lot of things. I do have innate God-given talents. But a big part of this superpower is having a bipolar brain, which has pumped, injected and flooded my brain over the years with excess biochemicals, principally dopamine. What that has done is take whatever talents I have and amplify them. So, it's given me extra energy, drive, enthusiasm, creativity, problem-solving abilities, and an extra charged-up personality that enables me to lead others and get along well with people. So, that has been my primary superpower, and I've had a biochemical advantage with my bipolar brain.Careful not to lecture, preferring to lead by example, Gregg shared insights about how he manages to work through periods of depression as a guide to help others develop the capacity to do hard things:When I was in a period of depression, which I had many with my bipolar life, here are the things that I would do to help lift me up. Number one, I would tell myself, Hey, this is just a temporary condition. I'm really strong, confident, smart. I can do great things, and I would do positive self-talk for myself. I would try to exercise vigorously, do lots of push-ups and pull-ups and lift weights–something to rev myself up. Or I'd go out on a hard run and do some wind sprints or run up hills and again try to get the chemicals in the blood going in my brain.Then I'd go to spiritual things. This is kind of an aggressive spiritual thing, but I, over the years, had memorized lots of Bible verses. I focused on the powerful ones–hundreds of them in the Bible that tell you you can do this. Trust in God; you can rely on God, and you can accomplish anything. Don't be fearful, be strong, be courageous. So, I had about a dozen of those verses memorized, and I would repeat them over and over and over in my head to lift my spirit and make me feel more confident, more powerful, better so I could do the things that I had to do.To recap, he suggests three simple things:* Positive self-talk* Vigorous exercise* Reciting inspirational messages aligned with your faithBy following Gregg's example and advice, you can thrive with–or without–a mental health diagnosis and increase your ability to accomplish hard things. With practice, it could become a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.Guest ProfileGregg Martin (he/him):About Mental Wellness Warriors: A loose collaboration of like-minded people with a passion for mental health who speak, confer and writeWebsite: bipolargeneral.comBiographical Information: Gregg F. Martin, Ph.D., is a 36-year Army combat veteran, retired major general, and bipolar survivor, thriver, and warrior. He commanded an engineer company, battalion and a brigade in combat. A former president of the National Defense University, commandant of the Army War College, and commander of Ft. Leonard Wood, he is a  qualified Airborne-Ranger-Engineer soldier and Army Strategist. He holds advanced degrees from MIT, the Naval War College, and the Army War College, and a BS degree from West Point. The author of BIPOLAR GENERAL: My Forever War with Mental Illness lives with his wife in Cocoa Beach, Florida.Twitter Handle: @GenGreggMartinLinkedin: Gregg F. 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Welcome to the Well Mind Podcast! I'm excited to share my recent conversation with retired Major General Gregg Martin in this episode. He is a 36-year army combat veteran celebrated for his remarkable career commanding engineer units and holding prestigious roles such as president of the National Defense university and commander of Fort Leonard Wood. An accomplished author, his book Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness, candidly shares his journey. He is a graduate of West Point and he went on to earn advanced degrees from MIT, the Naval War College, and the Army War College. In our conversation, we walk through his storied military career and simultaneously unpack his private battle with bipolar disorder. As his story unfolds, I found it fascinating how for many years, the periods of elevated (hypomanic) mood that accompany bipolar disorder actually enhanced his ability to perform under intense conditions. However, as you will hear, this diminished over time as his mental health condition worsened to the point of personal crisis.Yet Gregg's indomitable spirit and the support of his loved ones helped him move out of crisis and into triumph. Gregg's story is truly one of hope, resilience, faith, and recovery. His new mission is to break down the stigma around mental illness and empower others through education and sharing his journey.  Notes from Episode 39 Contact Information: https://www.generalgreggmartin.com/ or greggmartin79@gmail.com  Bipolar General My Forever War with Mental Illness: https://www.amazon.com/Bipolar-General-Forever-Illness-Association/dp/1682473805  The Well Mind Podcast email: thewellmind@blc.edu

Join us in this powerful episode of the Passion Struck podcast, where I sit down with an extraordinary guest, Major General Gregg F. Martin, Ph.D., US Army (Retired). In this candid conversation, Major General Martin shares his inspiring journey, from commanding troops on the battlefield to battling bipolar disorder. Discover how he overcame adversity, shattered stigma, and emerged as a beacon of hope for mental health advocacy. He is the author of "Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness." Want to learn the 12 philosophies that the most successful people use to create a limitless life? Pre-order John R. Miles's new book, Passion Struck, which will be released on February 6, 2024. Full show notes and resources can be found here:  https://passionstruck.com/gregg-f-martin-breaking-stigma-bipolar-disorder/  Unveiling Resilience: Major General Gregg Martin's Bipolar Journey Learn about Major General Martin's resilience, his dedication to saving lives, and his commitment to ending the stigma surrounding bipolar disorder. Hear how he and his family persevered through the toughest fight of their lives and emerged stronger than ever. This episode delves into the depths of resilience, mental health, and the power of sharing one's story. Major General Gregg Martin's experience is a testament to the strength of the human spirit, and his mission is to help others find hope in their own battles. Brought to you by Netsuite by Oracle. Download NetSuite's popular KPI Checklist, designed to give you consistently excellent performance at https://www.netsuite.com/passionstruck. Brought to you by Indeed: Claim your SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLAR CREDIT now at Indeed dot com slash PASSIONSTRUCK. Brought to you by Lifeforce: Join me and thousands of others who have transformed their lives through Lifeforce's proactive and personalized approach to healthcare. Visit MyLifeforce.com today to start your membership and receive an exclusive $200 off. Brought to you by Hello Fresh. Use code passion 50 to get 50% off plus free shipping!  --► For information about advertisers and promo codes, go to: https://passionstruck.com/deals/  Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally! --► Prefer to watch this interview: https://youtu.be/81ZV5MieYao  --► Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel Here: https://youtu.be/QYehiUuX7zs  Want to find your purpose in life? I provide my six simple steps to achieving it - passionstruck.com/5-simple-steps-to-find-your-passion-in-life/ Catch my interview with Dr. Caroline Leaf on Parenting or a Healthy and Confident Mind. Watch the solo episode I did on the topic of Chronic Loneliness: https://youtu.be/aFDRk0kcM40  Want to hear my best interviews from 2023? Check out my interview with Seth Godin on the Song of Significance and my interview with Gretchen Rubin on Life in Five Senses. ===== FOLLOW ON THE SOCIALS ===== * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passion_struck_podcast * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnrmiles.c0m  Learn more about John: https://johnrmiles.com/  Passion Struck is now on the Brushwood Media Network every Monday and Friday from 5–6 PM. Step 1: Go to TuneIn, Apple Music (or any other app, mobile or computer) Step 2: Search for "Brushwood Media” Network

Gregg F. Martin - Army Major General (Ret.), Author, Bipolar Survivor & Thriver Gregg Martin is a retired major general and a distinguished 36-year Army combat veteran who has left an indelible mark on the military. Throughout his illustrious career, he commanded various military units, including an engineer company, battalion, and the 130th Engineer Brigade in combat. Beyond the battlefield, he held esteemed positions such as the president of the National Defense University, commander of Ft. Leonard Wood, and commandant of the Army War College. What makes Gregg's journey truly remarkable is his unwavering resilience in the face of bipolar disorder, a personal battle he openly shares about in his book BIPOLAR GENERAL: My Forever War with Mental Illness. Gregg Martin's journey exemplifies an indomitable spirit that offers hope and inspiration to others confronting challenges in their lives.   BIPOLAR GENERAL: My Forever War with Mental Illness "This 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 my personal mission. It tracks my journey through the ups and downs of bipolar disorder.  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.”    Learn More Website:  www.bipolargeneral.com LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregg-f-martin-222735aa/ VeteranCrowd Network Our "forever promise" is to build the veteran and military spouse community a place to connect and engage. VeteranCrowd is simply a national network of veterans, veteran led businesses and the resources they need to prosper. Subscribe to stay in touch.    by VeteranCrowd Network Why do thousands of merchants put us through a bootcamp to join their loyalty program? Why do they make checkout an obstacle course? It's embarrassing. Time consuming. Intrusive. Cumbersome. Broken. Why? Because no one ever built a simple & secure way to validate our veteran status at checkout. Until now. Want to be recognized at select merchants simply by swiping your existing Visa card? Join our waitlist and be one of the first veterans to have this power in your wallet.   About Your Host Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.  

A remarkable story of living with bipolar disorder: 36-year US Army retired combat veteran Maj. Gen. Gregg. F. Martin shares his experience of bipolar disorder after joining the army at 18, and how his symptoms remained hidden and undiagnosed despite alarming warning signs during multiple deployments and stages of his military career. Gregg Martin also details his route to recovery, bipolar disorder in his family, and his top strategies to live well with bipolar disorder. Hosted by Dr. Erin Michalak. (00:00) Intro (00:52) Joining the Army & Early Years (06:51) The Iraq War & Paranoia (11:22) Depression - "The Crash" (13:27) "The Real Mania" (16:45) How My Bipolar Symptoms Were Hidden (19:31) My Diagnosis Was Exposed (24:23) Rebuilding Relationships (Family & Friends) (28:12) Two Sons Also Have Bipolar Disorder (29:02) Reflecting on Misdiagnosis (34:12) "You Will Pull Out of This" (35:21) Message to Maggie (Wife) (37:35) Daily Wellness Routine (40:21) Bipolar General - The Book Gregg F. Martin PhD, is a 36-year Army combat veteran, bipolar survivor and thriver, and retired two-star general. A former president of the National Defense University, he has lived most of his life on the Bipolar Spectrum, and is a qualified Airborne-Ranger-Engineer and strategist, who holds degrees from West Point and MIT. An author, speaker, and mental health advocate, he lives with his wife in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Gregg's new book: “Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness”_ is available on Amazon (Hardcover/Kindle). The book is published by the US Naval Institute Press and endorsed by the Association of the US Army. For more information, visit https://generalgreggmartin.com More on this episode: https://talkBD.live/bipolar-general #talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about talkBD: ⁠⁠https://talkBD.live

36-year US Army combat veteran Maj. Gen. Gregg. F. Martin and psychiatrist Dr. Manuel Sánchez de Carmona break down psychosis through their extensive lived and clinical expertise - delving into common triggers, treatment and medication, and psychotic symptoms including paranoid ideas, persecutory delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thought and behaviour. Gregg Martin also recounts harrowing psychotic episodes of "bipolar hell" during the Iraq War and through his service in the army, his route to recovery, rebuilding damaged relationships, and living well with bipolar disorder. Hosted by Dr. Erin Michalak. (01:31) What Does Psychosis Look Like? (02:28) About Gregg Martin (06:54) About Dr. Manuel Sánchez de Carmona (09:13) My Psychosis Story: What Happened in Iraq (14:48) Psychosis Explained: What Is It? (17:47) Stress Triggered Gregg's Psychosis (21:58) Identifying & Blocking Paranoid Thoughts (25:41) Know Your Early Warning Signs (28:28) Must You Treat Mild Psychosis? (30:17) Medication, Therapy & Support (32:28) Gregg's 5Ps for Recovery (35:09) Manuel's Top Tips to Prevent Relapse (38:35) Losing Relationships: Forgiveness & Healing (47:08) A Message to Those Experiencing Psychosis (50:18) Gregg's Advice to His Younger Self Gregg F. Martin, PhD, is a 36-year Army combat veteran, bipolar survivor and thriver, and retired two-star general. A former president of the National Defense University, he has lived most of his life on the Bipolar Spectrum, and is a qualified Airborne-Ranger-Engineer and strategist, who holds degrees from West Point and MIT. An author, speaker, and mental health advocate, he lives with his wife in Cocoa Beach, Florida. His forthcoming book, _“Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness”_ is available on Amazon, and is being published by the US Naval Institute Press, and endorsed by the Association of the US Army. For more information, visit https://generalgreggmartin.com Dr. Manuel Sanchez de Carmona is a member of the ISBD Board of Directors and works as an associate professor of Clinical Psychiatry for the Anahuac University in Mexico City, Mexico. He began his involvement with ISBD in 2008 as the founder of the ISBD Mexican Chapter and since then in key leadership roles: first as ISBD Secretary Treasurer and then as ISBD President, serving for two consecutive terms from March 2014 to December 2017. He was able to actively promote the Society and generate local chapters in several countries of Latin America, Asia, and Europe. He is passionate about providing education on bipolar disorders and using the Society as a game-changer in public mental health services. Since World Bipolar Day's inception, he has been involved in its global promotion and making connections with experts with the lived experience to generate community awareness and fight stigma. Dr. Sanchez de Carmona has more than 25 years of clinical experience treating mood disorders and is interested in diagnosis, early detection, and providing quality of life to patients. More on this episode: https://talkBD.live/living-with-psychosis Full credit and many thanks to ENR for Iraq War footage used in this episode. Watch ENR's full feature video for Gregg Martin's ENR Award of Excellence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xuo5qexC8IQ#talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about talkBD: https://talkBD.live

If you're in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, find help in your area with Find a helpline.Raised by a World War II veteran father, retired two-Star General Gregg Martin anticipated military service. He joined the ROTC at the University of Maine, then transferred to West Point.“I did really well at West Point, and then I graduated, went out into the active army, the field Army. I just loved it,” Gregg says. “I went to airborne school to be a paratrooper, went to Ranger School. So I was qualified to do the commando Special Forces stuff.”Gregg loved the challenges service in the Army presented:The Army was a pretty rough place. There was a lot of drugs. There were racial problems. We had convicted felons who were given the option to come into the military because they couldn't meet the quotas of recruiting. And I just loved it, though. It was real. It was hard. It was dirty. We had an exciting, challenging mission. And I just loved leading the troops.One opportunity for advancement followed another. “Before you knew it, I was a two-star general and had 36 years active duty in the Army.”At the pinnacle of his career, Gregg was assigned to lead the prestigious National Defense University. “It's made up of five colleges; it's a graduate school for senior leaders from the military, State Department, intelligence agencies and so forth, to go back to school at the graduate level for a year and get an advanced degree in strategic studies, international security, that sort of thing.”Gregg shares the story of how bipolar disorder brought an end to his military career and launched a new one as an advocate for mental health.I have actually been living on the bipolar spectrum since I was a teenager. I lived about 30 years with a mental condition, not an illness, but a condition called hyperthyrmia, which is a near continual state of mild mania. You get an extra plus up of the chemicals, dopamine, endorphins and others that gave me overabundant energy, enthusiasm, drive, creativity, problem-solving, skills, positivity, all those positive attributes. It's a benefit if you have it. But the downside is that it puts you at a higher risk of developing real mania and real bipolar disorder.From my teenage years into my forties, unbeknownst to me, I was inching ever closer to mania.At a certain point, the Veterans Affairs and the Department of the Army Medical Board pegged it at 2003, I was 47 years old, serving in the Iraq war. They believe that that's when my onset of actual bipolar occurred.From Iraq in '03, over the next 11 years, my bipolar disorder was unknown, undetected, unrecognized, undiagnosed. But I kept going into higher levels of mania, lower levels of depression.Then I started developing psychosis, which is a combination of delusions in my mind.I essentially rocketed into full-blown mania. I went into a state of madness, insanity. I was over the top. Off the rails. I was talking faster and faster. I was out of control. I had these grandiose visions that I was on a mission from God. I had all kinds of religious visions with the Holy Spirit and the Apostle Paul and speaking in tongues, I mean, going to 20, 30 religious events per week. I mean, I was really out of control.I had hallucinations that when I would ride my bike through D.C. at night, I would lift up off the ground and I would be flying on my bicycle over and through the monuments in D.C.My poor subordinates! I mean, there's no way for any human to keep up with the madness that was going on in my brain. It led to sort of a rebellion on the staff and the faculty at the university. It's really hard to have that difficult talk with the boss who's a general to say, “Hey, General Martin, we think you have lost it and you have some sort of mental illness.” But what they did, which was equally as effective, is they started writing anonymous complaints to my boss, who was the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.We were very good friends, wonderful boss. He made the decision to remove me from command, gave me the choice, resign or be fired by 5:00 today.Then he gave me a command order to go see a psychiatrist and get an evaluation. Unfortunately, they misdiagnosed me three times that month–July 2014. I was diagnosed fit for duty–nothing wrong–while I was in a raging state of mania. Four months later, after I crashed into crippling depression, I was properly diagnosed in November of 2014 with bipolar disorder type one, which is characterized by mainly high-level mania and very serious depression compared to bipolar two, which is much lower levels of mania and much more depression.Then I went into bipolar hell with crippling depression, terrifying psychosis. The mania went away, and for two years I was really in a fight for my life until finally September of 2016. I got on the right medications and the right program to begin my journey of recovery.Once a person has bipolar disorder, you always have bipolar.I was in bipolar hell for two years from the fall of 2014 to the fall of 2016, I had terrible suicidal, passive, suicidal ideations where I was imagining through delusions, through psychosis, my own violent, bloody, horrible death. And it would continue to go through my mind like a nonstop video reel.A passive ideation can quickly morph into an active ideation, where then you develop a plan and you take your own life.I also did inpatient at a VA hospital for weeks. I did electroconvulsive therapy. I took probably 15 or 20 different kinds of medication. None of them really worked. I was a zombie for those two years. I was miserable. I couldn't make a decision. I was confused.It wasn't until about two years of this going through hell that finally my wife called my doctor at the VA and said, “Hey, this isn't working. We need to do something different.”After two years of misery, 2016 to 2003, 13 years of bipolar, we tried lithium. And within a few days, my depression lifted. It's unbelievable how the difference. And within about a week I started feeling like my own self, my enthusiasm, my energy, my zest for life came back.My wife and I made a decision kind of strategically that we were going to move somewhere that had abundant light sunshine, warm weather. So we moved to Florida.I have a license plate that says disabled veteran. Wherever I would go people would be walking with me or I'd be getting into my car, they'd see the plate and they'd say, “Well, what's your disability?” I'd say, “Well, I have a brain thing.” And they would stop and say, “Well, I have a brain thing too, you know, what's your brain thing?”I say, “Bipolar disorder and some PTSD, but mostly bipolar.”They'd say, “Wow, I have been suffering with depression for years,” or “My husband or wife has bipolar disorder.”“As I told my story, in short, to dozens and dozens of people here in Cocoa Beach, 100 percent of the people either are afflicted by some sort of mental condition or are affected by it by virtue of their relationship with somebody else. So it's 100 percent.”As Gregg began telling his story more formally, he developed a strategy for having a healthy productive life with a mental health diagnosis.He offers a three-point plan:* Biochemistry. “Number one, you have to get the biochemistry of the brain in balance in a healthy state. For most people that comes through medication.”* Therapy. “Number two, you have to work with the rest of your medical team, which should for bipolar and depression and other mental conditions probably include a therapist. So, I've got a psychiatrist who does the medication. I've got a therapist. I just met with my therapist this morning and they help you problem solve and think your way through issues that are complicated and challenging.* Healthy lifestyle. Thirdly, you have to live a healthful life. There are brain-healthy diets. You need plenty of sleep, 8 hours a day, and probably should take a nap. Plenty of water, lots of exercise, reduce your stress, figure out how to meditate. Gregg suggests anchoring your plan on a social platform of his five Ps:* People. Develop a network of people who make you happy.* Place. “You need to pick a good place that makes you happy, that's safe, that enables you to do the things that inspire you and again, brings joy.”* Purpose. “You have to have a purpose. The first question you ask as an Army officer is ‘what's the mission?'”* Perseverance. You have to have the will to succeed, to not give up. Recovery from a serious mental illness like depression or bipolar is not easy. It's hard. There are going to be relapses and you're going to stumble and fall. Between yourself and your team, you have to be able to pick yourself up and learn from it and keep moving forward.* Presence. “The fifth P is what I call presence.” Learn to get outside your own head to think about your own possibly inaccurate thinking. Develop a healthy perspective.Today, Gregg has a publishing deal for his book, The Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness. He contributes regularly to Psychology Today and speaks to groups about his journey and his advice.Gregg has a host of superpowers that enable his work, including an ability to do challenging things, to be positive and build good relationships, to find purpose in his life and work, to persevere, to feel compassion for others and a strong desire to serve other people.By following Greg's example and advice, you can empower yourself to do more good in the world. Get full access to Superpowers for Good at devinthorpe.substack.com/subscribe