Clive Wild

Hello, my name is Clive Wild and this is my personal website.  Over the years, I have gone from being a Systems Programmer to becoming an Author of my own struggle with Bipolar Disorder.  In my book “My Life as a Mood Swinger” I share my experience of living with Bipolar and how it has changed my life.  I am hoping that sharing my story may help others who are and have been dealing with this complicated illness.  I am also hoping to take away some or most of the stigma attached to Bipolar and/or other Mental Illnesses. 

You can also read through my blog, which describes my current life settings and frame of mind.  I have a great insight of my illness and am not afraid to share my thoughts.  There is also a Photo Gallery to view slideshows of my life over the years. 

Welcome to my site and enjoy! 

Yours truly, 

Clive Wild

"I spent several weeks seeking an answer to my symptoms.

This involved visiting hospitals in the middle of the night

and getting no answers.  I approached one GP in San Diego

who prescribed some pills.  The only result was that I slept

for two days, only waking to eat."

by Clive Wild

This online environment allows people with mental health problems

to connect in a safe and anonymous environment.

Stop the Presses!!

Coventry Telegraph, a newspaper in the UK, has published an article about myself and my book 'My Life as a Mood Swinger'.

 Below are 4 links to the article:

Coventry Telegraph - Online Article

Coventry Telegraph - PDF Article pt 1

Coventry Telegraph - PDF Article pt 2

Coventry Telegraph - PDF Article pt 3

They are the same article just different layouts with a few different pictures.  The links labelled 'PDF Article' are not actual PDF files.  Adjustments were made to the PDF files so they could be viewed here.  They will open as an image of the PDF files.  All the links should open easily and quickly.  Or you can click on the logo below and go right to the online newspaper article at 'Coventry Telegraph'.

Hope you enjoy!

Yours Truly,

Clive

My Story: 

"I have been writing my story for what seems like ages. Luckily I kept some of my writings in my computer. This has saved me digging into my old brain."

"It is written straight from a hypomanic brain for the most part. I know writing is re-writing, as my wife kept telling me."

"I may not be the best writer in the world but I have a flair for recall and a good insight. Hopefully I can help some people avoid some of my pitfalls."

No one said bipolar meant two poles at the same time!!:

"I have never been more aware of my moods and my physical state. I always thought that being physically unfit would curb the effects of mania or the slide into mania. That's not an excuse for being a slob. Today my mind has been going at 100mph and my body has the handbrake on. It's a curious sensation, but it is strangely safe. I don't feel great but I am in control of things. I am still quite productive and I am thinking farely clearly. Manic folk always say that ! The proof is in the reading. It is either brilliant or total gibberish. I think I have learnt to express my feelings in mania with a slight amount of distance. I think this is well worthwhile and it might give a certain insight to non-bipolars. Other bipolars might not give a damn. As long as I can write reasonably clearly, I think I am ok."

The shameful thing that is stigma:

"Stigma seperates friends and family. Stigma prevents people from getting jobs and sometimes from pursuing careers. People with cancer or physical illnesses, even "D" list celebs get treated with such sympathy. Other people get no sympathy unless they are "A" list and decide to be open. Stephen Fry is a case in point. He is that good egg, bipolar by the way. Neighbours and friends don't know much but they hear things and the curtain twitching starts. Friends back off in a nice way and eventually Christmas cards stop. No amount of apologies or pleading convinces friends or family that you are just ill, like cancer sufferers. Often the suffering is worse and over a longer period. It often ends in premature death, whether self inflicted or by other reasons. Research shows that bipolars are more likely to die from a range of "normal" illnesses."

"Please help to stop stigma. I hope my bipolar story does something to help the cause by letting everyone know what I have been through in the last 27 years. No one really knows, especially my closest friends and family. My neighbour knows more about me than anyone in the world. That is sad. If you are a friend or family of someone with a mental illness, please care for them and take an interest. Please do not brush them under the carpet and never to be mentioned in polite company. Make stigma stop this year. Make your MPs, senators and congressmen hear. Make your prime ministers and presidents hear."

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