As part of our series on bipolar disorder (manic depression) Helen Thomas spoke to Ian about being diagnosed and coping with the disorder.
"You go from being very quiet and miserable, to almost moments of grandeur"
Ian Thomasson is 45 and from Chesterton. He's married and has four children. It took a long time for doctors to tell him he has manic depression, and he was eventually diagnosed in 2002.
He says when he's high he's thinking at 300 miles per hour, and starts having delusions of grandeur - whereas his depression makes him retreat and shut off from the world, and he's had suicidal thoughts.
In our interview with Ian he talks about his family, and the support he's had, but also how he's kept it from certain people because of the stigma that can be attached to the disorder.
Hear Ian's story by clicking on the link below:
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