Stop the stigma, help save lives

In July 2014, I was in my 36th year of military service, a two-star general, combat veteran, and president of the National Defense University (NDU), located in Washington, D.C. I worked for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation’s highest-ranking military officer, General Martin Dempsey.

 

After decades of success, I had become a maniac: extremely disruptive and erratic. Finally, the chairman, who was a long-time mentor, boss, and friend, summoned me to his office and said, “Gregg, I love you like a brother, but your time at NDU is done. You have until 5 p.m. today to resign, or you’re fired ... and you need to get a mental health exam!”

 

Unbeknownst to myself and the Army, my genetic predisposition for bipolar disorder was triggered by the intense stress of the Iraq War in 2003, where I commanded a combat engineer brigade of thousands of soldiers. 

 

My brain responded by producing and distributing excessive amounts of dopamine and endorphins, sending me into a euphoric, high-performing mania that made me feel fearless, hyper-energized, and like I was Superman. Unfortunately, this mania damaged my brain circuitry and launched me into a life dominated by unrecognized bipolar disorder. 

 

After a year of thrilling combat, with rushing adrenaline, surging bio-chemicals in my brain, and a powerful, natural “high,” I redeployed to Germany, where the moon of depression eclipsed my sun of mania. 

 

Unfortunately, the under-production of these same chemicals caused this months-long depression. I reported my depression, but because I was not suicidal and had no intention of hurting anyone, medical personnel declared me “fit for duty,” but I wasn’t. 

 

After several months of continuous work, my depression lifted naturally. The structure of Army life was key in getting me through this difficult period. This completed my first full up/down cycle of mania/depression, which would become my life pattern.

 

My bipolar remained undetected from 2003 to 2014. Meanwhile, I was promoted twice and assigned to ever-tougher assignments, where the norm was complexity, budget cuts, and high stress. Yet, mania helped my performance in many ways by providing ever-higher levels of energy, drive, and creativity. It fueled my career ascendance, until it didn’t.

 

My mania went higher, and my depression sank lower until I rocketed into acute, full-blown mania in 2014. Spinning out of control, I became disruptive and erratic, and the chairman removed me. Thank God, it was the absolute best decision for myself, my family, and my health.

 

After this, I crashed into crippling, hopeless depression, accompanied by terrifying delusions. My mind was filled with morbid, vivid imagery of violent death and dying, what psychiatrists call “passive suicidal ideations.” But, for me, they were anything but passive. Instead, they were real, powerful and life-consuming. 

 

For the next two years, I fought for my life. It wasn’t until a friend helped get me into the Veterans Affairs (VA) that I had a feeling that my condition could change. The clinical staff of the VA provided me with excellent care, and it was the combination of professional treatment, along with the love and support of my wife and family, that prevented me from falling into the abyss. 

 

After months of treatment, numerous medications, weeks in a VA psychiatric ward, and electroconvulsive therapy, the addition of the natural element Lithium, a salt, took my recovery to the next level and stabilized me in September 2016. 

 

My bipolar disorder is now under control but not gone. To keep it at bay, I must take medications, meet with my doctors, and live a healthy life; mind, body, and spirit. 

 

My self-care includes exercise, attention to diet, plenty of sleep and water, minimal alcohol, no drugs, a network of friends, fun activities, faith, and as much as possible, minimizing stress, anxiety, and anger. 

 

As a former Army officer, I know that one of the keys to victory in combat is vigilance. The same holds in my battle with bipolar. As long as I remain faithful to the task at hand, I will have the high ground and avoid an attack by the greatest enemy I have ever faced. 

 

More than 10 million Americans have bipolar disorder. Another 50 million have depression, post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injuries, or other mental health disorders that often lead to suicide. Thus, it is likely that nearly every person in America is affected in some way by mental illness: either themselves, a family member, friend or colleague. 

 

That’s the bad news. The good news is that these medical conditions are treatable. Correctly diagnosed and treated, people can live healthy, happy, successful lives.

 

I didn’t want bipolar, but it wanted me. It nearly destroyed everything I value. But, thanks to the help of a great many others, I’ve been able to transform my “gift” of bipolar into my mission: sharing my bipolar story to help stop the stigma and save lives.

 

I share my experiences, providing knowledge and hope. My purpose is to help save lives, marriages, families, friendships, careers and more.

 

My vision is that everyone who has mental illness gets medical help free of stigma. There is no stigma with cancer or diabetes, and neither should there be for mental illness. 

 

Science has validated that mental disorders are physiological and not due to a lack of character or willpower. It’s not a person’s fault they are ill, so we shouldn’t blame them. Instead, we must understand and accept this.

 

We must learn to identify the symptoms of mental health disorders. Then, if you or another display them, get medical help, just as you would for a heart attack. But, don’t wait; it could be a matter of life and death.

 

Battling mental illness has been my most brutal fight. It’s incumbent upon all of us to learn about it and help educate and encourage others. Join me in helping to stop the stigma!

 

Gregg Martin is a 36-year Army combat veteran and retired two-star general. He holds degrees from West Point and MIT. He is a father, author, and speaker who lives with his wife in Cocoa Beach, Florida. His forthcoming book is titled “Battling Bipolar — My War With Mental Illness.” Visit generalgreggmartin.com.

 

Editor’s Note: This story was originally published in Florida Today and subsequently shared by Gen. Martin with The Daniel Island News. This piece represents the views of the author. It does not represent the official views of the U.S. government or Department of Defense.