Celebrating Paul’s Strength 💪

 

My name is Paul English. I studied computer science and music in college and then went on in a career of entrepreneurship. I have started and sold six companies to date (including Kayak.com) and have also started five nonprofits.

I am currently 61 years old, married with two adult children, and two new grandchildren!

I was first diagnosed with bipolar illness at age 25. I also have very strong ADD.

I have struggled with bipolar over the years – trapped on my bedroom floor for days with crippling depression and panic attacks, and more commonly, hypomanic states lasting months of grandiosity and bad decision making.

I am lucky that I have never lost a job due to my illness. I credit this with me learning to be open about my diagnosis with a select few people – a friend, a family member, and a colleague. There is no healing in secrecy, and by finding these three advocates for you, you’ll unburden yourself and have three people who can help keep an eye on you.

I’ve been on over a dozen meds for bipolar over the years. It seems that when a med starts to work well, after a year or so, the med has stopped working for me, and I’ve needed to change meds. I have a great psychiatrist at MGH in Boston who I see in person every 1-6 months based on how I’m doing. I’ve also been in and out of therapy over the years.

I don’t think I could have created Kayak or any of my other companies without the fuel from hypomania.

I’ve read that 1-2% of the population has bipolar illness, but over 10% of entrepreneurs are bipolar. It can be very helpful if you can manage the downsides.

The grandiosity allows you to believe in an idea completely, and people will follow your confidence. The long energy bursts allow you to work long hours and to push your creativity.

Two years ago, I lost a bipolar friend to suicide. As a result, I created the Bipolar Social Club (BSC). We currently have 400 members around the world, and we interact daily via email, and about weekly via zoom meetings. We’ve also had some in-person meetings so far in Boston and NYC, with more locations to come.

This club has meant the world to our members. One young member told me “[I love my therapist, but she is not bipolar. But the BSC has found me people I can trust 100% with my secrets, as they have experienced the same conditions as me]”. When someone reaches out for help from the list, people often respond with their phone numbers and ask that person to call them. Of all my nonprofits, the BSC has been the most meaningful and personal. The BSC demonstrates the power of community to help people heal.

No matter what conditions you might be suffering from, please find those three allies to talk with, get a great medical team, and find your community.

 

#Bipolarstrong 🌍

 

 

The content of the International Bipolar Foundation blogs is for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician and never disregard professional medical advice because of something you have read in any IBPF content.