Self-Improvement Living With Bipolar Disorder With Emmy-Winning Actor Maurice Benard By Amy Morin, LCSW Amy Morin, LCSW Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk, "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time. Learn about our editorial process Published on November 28, 2022 Print Verywell / Julie Bang Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Meet Maurice Benard Why Maurice Benard Is Mentally Strong What You’ll Hear on the Show What You’ll Learn About Mental Health and Mental Strength Quotes From Maurice More About the Podcast On The Verywell Mind Podcast, Amy Morin, LCSW, interviews authors, experts, entrepreneurs, athletes, musicians, and other inspirational people about the strategies that help them think, feel, and do their best in life. Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts / Amazon Music Meet Maurice Benard Since 1993, Maurice Benard has played Sonny Corinthos on the ABC soap opera General Hospital. Maurice has made his battle with bipolar disorder public. The writers at General Hospital have even made his on-screen character have bipolar disorder so that he can depict what it’s like to live with bipolar disorder. Maurice’s book, "Nothing General About It," reveals how he’s learned to live with bipolar disorder and how he’s managing his symptoms. He also started a YouTube show called "State of Mind," where he shares information on mental health. Why Maurice Benard Is Mentally Strong Maurice could have kept his bipolar disorder a secret. But he decided to make his story public. In his book, he shares some raw stories about his struggles and some of the things he’s done that aren’t all that flattering. But he did so because he wanted other people to know that they aren’t alone. He also started his show because he wanted to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. What You’ll Hear on the Show What it’s like to have a ‘nervous breakdown’ The biggest misconceptions people have about bipolar disorder The symptoms of bipolar and what happens during a manic episode How to know when you need medication for a mental health issue How to recognize the difference between temporary mental health issues and permanent ones How Maurice managed increased depression and anxiety during the pandemic How to recognize the things that trigger mental health problems in your life How Maurice has discovered inner peace And why Maurice wants people to know they’re not alone Situations That Can Trigger Anxiety What You’ll Learn About Mental Health and Mental Strength Some mental health issues get better with treatment or time. For many people, depression doesn’t last forever. Anxiety may come and go. But some mental health issues persist. Things like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are treatable but not curable. That’s why it’s important to have a clear understanding of your diagnosis and your prognosis. If you have a mental health issue, education is key to becoming the strongest and best version of yourself. Quotes From Maurice Maurice Benard I always let people know how horrible it is and that you can get through it. That's the message. I mean, if I'm still here, it's because I've been able to go through a nightmare in hell and come out of it and see the light every time. — Maurice Benard "But now I'm who I am with everyone. And it's a cool feeling.""The difference between me now and me years ago is there's a peace in me now. I never felt peace inside of me. It was always chaos. And I accepted it. Like, okay, I'm bipolar, so I'm gonna feel this inside of me–this chaos. Now it's peace." How to Find Emotional Healing More About the Podcast The Verywell Mind Podcast is available across all streaming platforms. If you like the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Reviews and ratings are a great way to encourage other people to listen and help them prioritize their mental health too. Editor’s Note: Please be mindful that this transcript does not go through our standard editorial process and may contain inaccuracies and grammatical errors. Thank you. For media or public speaking inquiries, contact Amy here. Download the Transcript Links and Resources Check Out Maurice’s book: Nothing General About It Follow Maurice on Instagram: @MauriceBenard Watch Maurice’s YouTube show: State of Mind If You Liked This Episode, You Might Also Like These Episodes Overcoming the Stigma of Taking Medication With Actor Taye Diggs Friday Fix: How to Become Mentally Stronger How to Fight Depression With NFL Reporter Jay Glazer Can Bipolar Disorder Be Cured? By Amy Morin, LCSW Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk, "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit