John McManamy

Health Interests

bipolar disorder,  mental health,  bipolar symptoms,  bipolar disorder treatment

Drugs I am Taking

John McManamy has not shared any drug information.

About Me

John McManamy is an award-winning mental health journalist and author. In early 1999, following a series of severe depressions and a lifetime of denial, John was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Soon after, as a means of coming to terms with his illness, he devoted all his efforts to researching and writing about depression and bipolar disorder.

John McManamy is the author of the highly-acclaimed Living Well with Depression and Bipolar Disorder (HarperCollins, 2006), the first book on mood disorders that covers the clinical, scientific, and recovery issues from a patient’s perspective.

He is editor and publisher of "McMan’s Depression and Bipolar Report," a free email newsletter, McMan’s Depression and Bipolar Web, and the blog "Knowledge is Necessity." He has been writing for BipolarConnect as an "expert patient" since 2005.

In 2007, John McManamy receieved the prestigious Mogens Schou Award for Public Service at the Seventh International Coference on Bipolar Disorder, which represents the world's leading gathering of bipolar experts. The Conference singled out John McManamy for his medical journalism, which included his Newsletter, Website, writings at HealthCentral, and book.

John McManamy is a strong believer in patients being active in their own recovery. This involves working at being "expert patients," which includes intelligently researching and managing one's own illness and forming working partnerships with one's clinicians.

John McManamy is also involved in advocacy and public speaking. He has been active with DBSA and is currently on the board of NAMI San Diego. He has a grown daughter, Emily. He resides in rural southern CA and plays the didgeridoo.