About McMan

About Me and this Site

Knowledge is Necessity.

About John McManamy

I am a former financial journalist with a law degree. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1999 at age 49 following a suicidal depression and a lifetime of denial. Soon after, as a means of coming to terms with my illness, I started up an email Newsletter (1999), then this Website (2000), and, since 2005, a Blog at BipolarConnect. In Oct 2006, HarperCollins published my book, “Living Well with Depression and Bipolar Disorder: What Your Doctor Doesn’t Tell You That You Need to Know.” Living Well represents the first mental health book written by a patient to cover in depth the doctor and science topics. There is also a heavy emphasis on things we can do for our own recovery.

I am currently working on another book that focuses on specific recovery strategies.

In 2004, as a Connecticut resident, I was honored with a public service award in recognition of this Website and Newsletter by the state's Psychiatric Society, NAMI, and Department of Mental Health. In June 2007, in recognition of this Website and Newsletter and book, I received the prestigious Mogens Schou Award for Public Service from the Seventh International Conference on Bipolar Disorder (that's me at the venue in the photo). Past recipients of this award include Mogens Schou MD, who pioneered lithium treatment, and Kay Jamison PhD.

I am also involved in advocacy, public speaking, and have facilitated a DBSA support group.

In late 2006, after three years in central New Jersey, I moved to the San Diego area.

Over the years I have experienced a series of incremental healings that have added up to some rather profound healings. Neverthess, my healing is at best probational. I still deal with my illness every day, and there is always something that comes along to remind me who truly has dominion over my brain. Nevertheless, I enjoy the type of peace of mind that would have eluded me had I only had a few light karmic obligations to contend with. Despite everything, I feel I am a much better person because of my illness, though this acceptance did not come overnight.

Writing about my illness has played a very strong role in my healing and recovery. Writing allows me to come to terms with my past, gives meaning to my present, and gives me the courage to face the future with hope.

I have been married twice and am currently single. I have a wonderful grown daughter, Emily, by my first marriage. I live 3,500 feet up in the mountains, where I enjoy taking walks, playing the didgeridoo, and cooking. I love all kinds of music except bad music, and am the proud owner of the world’s largest collection of Tiger Rag.

About McMan’s Depression and Bipolar Web

I started this Website in late 2000 on the simple principle that knowledge is necessity - namely the more insight we have into our illness and behavior and available options, the more skilled we will be at managing our treatment and recovery. As far as I am aware, I am the only journalist working full-time covering depression and bipolar topics. I keep current with the medical and psychiatric and scientific literature, attend mental health conferences, and interview and correspond with authors, researchers, clinicians, and advocates. I also listen to the real experts - you - patients and loved ones.

This website is aimed at patients and loved ones, though healthcare professionals also benefit from the material (this site was one of only two recommended for bipolar by JAMA). I appreciate that readers are approaching the content here with widely divergent needs and levels of understanding. Accordingly, some articles are clearly pitched at those new to the topic, while others offer something more substantial. At all times, I seek to maintain two uncompromising principles:

No dumbing down of content. Our illness takes no prisoners, so we need to be very smart. If something is important enough for doctors and brain scientists to know, then we need to know it as well.
Plain English, highly readable, even with technical issues. Being smart does not excuse lack of clarity.

If you are new to the topic, please don’t worry if an article is beyond your reach or you miss some of the fine points. Often, in the the early stages - and even in the late ones - it is sufficient merely to acquire a general appreciation rather than specific knowledge of everything. Greater understanding will come over time.. Be encouraged by the fact that there are other articles aimed at you. The titles and navigation blurbs will guide you.

As you keep coming back to the site - as well as engaging in your own wider reading - you will soon find all or most of the content within your grasp. Congratulations, that’s what we’re aiming for - you, the expert patient.

The highest level of difficulty are the articles in the Science section. Even if you are a beginner, I strongly urge you to give these articles a go. Simply coming away with a vague appreciation will give you the kind of insights that will greatly assist with your recovery. I speak from experience - virtually all my recovery strategies are based on what I now know about the brain.

Then and Now

I began this website with about 50 articles, none except for some memoir pieces which still exist in their original form. Over the years, the number of articles increased to more than 300, constantly updated, representing by far the most comprehensive information resource for mood disorders on the web.

By 2007, it was painfully obvious that this Website was both showing its age and in dire need of re-organization and new features. Moreover, even though the need for being informed is as critical now as it was in 2000, a lot of things have changed, including you.

Accordingly, in late 2007, I fired Bill Gates and invested in an Apple desktop and laptop, plus new software, and started learning some new programs. I jettisoned dated articles, gave others an upgrade, and consolidated the material into clear themes. Where there used to be more than 300 articles in 19 categories, we now have about 150 in nine themed sections.

In early March 2008, I achieved Stage One in my Website upgrade, with a totally-new look and far more coherent organization. My philosophy has always been to provide the necessary information you need to make your own choices. The clear themes and streamlined navigation should make it far easier for you to make those choices.

Soon after, I threw myself into Stages Two and Three. In late March, I created a Forum page, which seeks reader wisdom and insight on issues vital to our recovery. Over time, I'm looking forward to incorporating more reader feedback on mcmanweb.

Around the same time, I created my very first YouTube video, which you can view on this site and on YouTube. The video represents my entry into the new world of website production, as well as a new way of reaching out to our population. I am on a learning curve producing vdeos, but I am looking forward to regular production and high standards.

Please keep coming back and don’t forget to bookmark the home page.

The Fine Print

I am not a doctor, psychiatrist, therapist, alternative practitioner, or health or mental health professional. I am a journalist who reports research-based information and the insights of patients and loved ones, as well as a patient writing from personal experience The articles on this site are for your information and are intended to help you make better choices concerning managing your illness in partnership with a qualified professional. They are no substitute, however, for advice from a qualified professional.

The views expressed on this website by guest authors or other contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of John McManamy or this Website.

How This Website Fits In With My Other Writing

To reach as many patients and loved ones as possible, my writing is broadly stratified across four outlets:

My Email Newsletter - McMan's Depression and Bipolar Report is the only email Newsletter that solely devotes itself to mood disorders. The emphasis is on recent findings by the experts. Feature articles are reported in depth, in terms everyone can understand. Also included are quick reports and updates. Those who need to keep abreast with what is going on or who are seeking to develop new insights into their illness are encouraged to email me for a free subscription (for more info).

This Website - This is my home base, and where most readers find me, usually after Googling an illness-related term. Much of what I report in my Newsletter later gets incorporated into articles on this Website. Here, you will find 150 articles on every aspect of your illness, arranged for easy navigation and reading. Articles range from the introductory to the intricate, but all are designed to be highly readable.

My Book - In Oct 2006, Harper Collins published Living Well with Depression and Bipolar Disorder, What Your Doctor Doesn’t Tell You That You Need to Know, available in major bookstores and on Amazon. The book represents the distilled wisdom of this Website, plus additional material (for more info).

My Blog - Finally, I do a blog and other features for BipolarConnect. As opposed to this Website, these pieces are more chatty and immediate and personal.

Guest Authors

Nearly all the articles on this site are by John McManamy. The exceptions are:

Cyclothymia by Colleen Sullivan. Colleen is the founder of Bipolar World. She lives in rural Ontario.

The Sophy Chronicles by Sophy Patterson. Sophy is a writer who resides in New Jersey.

Barbara's Journey by Barbara Sebranek. Barbara lives in Wisconsin.

Splunky's Life by Splunky. No author info available.

Queries

Feel free to contact me regarding any queries, concerns, or suggestions. All correspondence will be treated in strict confidence. Due to the growing popularity of this site and the increasing workload this places me under, I regret to say I can no longer guarantee a reply to your emails. The good news is that chances are the information you seek is already in one of the articles on this site. Since I am not a doctor or psychiatrist or mental health professional I will absolutely not respond to emails that place me in the position of appearing to dispense medical advice.

Funding

McMan's Depression and Bipolar Web is a wholly independent website, funded by John McManamy and voluntary donations from individuals, plus Amazon affiliate links, plus paid and non-paid advertising.

Any ads appearing on the site are the result of third-party transactions via Google and Amazon and HealthCentral. This website neither solicits ads for specific products, nor endorses specific products that appear via Google and Amazon and HealthCentral.

The move to paid advertising on this site is a recent one, mid-2007, well after the site’s reputation for independence and fairness and integrity had long been established. Editorial content is not influenced by advertising. In making editorial judgments, there is one simple rule: Only you matter.

Privacy Policy

Your privacy is paramount. You’re safe here. I have no idea who you are. Should you contact me, your correspondence and contact info will be kept in strictest confidence. Should you subscribe to my Newsletter, only your email address is required. Under no circumstances will your email address be made available to third parties.

Advisory: Clicking an external link may take you to a website that does not value your privacy. This Website assumes no responsibility once you have left the site. Note: every page on this site contains “mcmanweb” in the URL.

Posting and Articles

The Forum page offers reader participation. I anticipate more opportunities for readers to contribute. Your content belongs to you and you are free to republish it elsewhere, but John McManamy reserves the right to publish it on McMan’s Depression and Bipolar Web and anywhere else and in any type of media, as well as paraphrase and comment on your contribution. By posting or submitting a piece, you have agreed to these terms and conditions.

Awards and Recommendations

In June 2007, the Seventh International Conference on Bipolar Disorder, acknowledged as the world's leading gathering of bipolar experts, honored me with the prestigious Mogens Schou Award for Public Service, citing this Website, Newsletter, Blog, and book, as part of "the strong tradition of honoring those heroes who are making major advances that bring hope to those suffering from bipolar disorder,”

In Oct 2004, The Connecticut Psychiatric Society, NAMI Connecticut, and the Connecticut Department of Mental Health awarded this writer a Public Service Award, citing this Website and Newsletter as "far reaching," "informative," and providing "an invaluable service to the community."

Under "Further Reading," the Sept 13, 2006 (p 1221) JAMA favorably cited this Website, only one of two bipolar sites to be recommended. The other was the NIMH.

In addition, this site has received citations from other websites, including HealthCentral and MentalHelpNet.

Knowledge is Necessity

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