We discuss Bipolar "Disorder", the Condition of Mania vs Burnout, Seasonal Affective Disorder, and MORE 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. 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 Burnout Lithium Therapy Seasonal Affective Disorder Today’s Guest & Resource Links: Visit - www.generalgreggmartin.com His book is live on Amazon! - https://amzn.to/47iN7XT Connect 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,...
