Living Between Extremes: The Realities of Bipolar's Highs and Lows, with David Westgate

Mid-life Men: the mental health podcast

In this episode, David Westgate shares his deeply personal journey with bipolar 1, reflecting on how the disorder manifested in his life and the impact it had on his relationships, career, and daily routines. He describes the struggle of living with undiagnosed bipolar disorder, where periods of extreme highs felt like "true happiness," only to be followed by profound, often debilitating depression.
From early symptoms in his twenties through a pivotal moment that led him to seek medical help, he unpacks the complexities of living with this mental illness. He opens up about coping mechanisms - both constructive, like medical support and therapy, and self-destructive - that he leaned on during the disorder's turbulent phases. The conversation also tackles the pervasive stigma around mental illness, particularly for men, and emphasises the importance of honest conversations and direct support, both professionally and among friends.
Through this candid dialogue, listeners gain a raw, enlightening perspective on mental health and the strength it takes to seek help, along with practical advice on recognising when something is wrong and how to approach recovery.