Major General Gregg F. Martin had, for the most part of his life, lived with hyperthymia, a continuous low-level mania that ultimately helped his military performance because he was energetic, creative, and driven. But after commanding a 10,000-soldier combat brigade in Iraq, Gregg’s descent into mania and depression would span a decade.

With a late diagnosis at age 58, Gregg challenges our understanding of bipolar disorder, revealing his belief that mental illness can progress along a spectrum rather than appearing suddenly. For Gregg, the Iraq War became the tipping point, transforming his beneficial hyperthymic traits into dangerous mania, and ultimately life-threatening depression. As his condition worsened, colleagues reported his erratic behavior, leading to forced retirement and   removal as president of the National Defense University.

The most haunting aspects of Gregg's story involve his descent into psychosis and passive suicidal ideation –  such as experiencing fear from an "invisible force" that could take hold of him and thrust him into oncoming traffic.  His journey from battlefield commander to psychiatric patient illuminates the complex relationship between trauma, high-stress environments, and mental health. Now an author and advocate, Gregg's experiences offer profound insights for anyone struggling with mental illness or supporting someone who is. 

This episode contains detailed discussions of suicide and suicidal ideation.

Gregg's book:

Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness (Association of the United States Army)

Music composed and performed by guitarist, JD Cullum

Edited by Brandon Moran

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