When 21-year-old Shyamanthak Kiran gets on stage this Sunday at Phoenix Arena, he will talk about the story of his life. He shares his three-year journey suffering from bipolar disorder, chronic depression, anxiety disorder and a suicide attempt. “I want to prove that mental health is as significant as physical health and we need to speak about it,” he says.

Shyamanthak had earlier held such talks as a member of Human Library and individually at Lamakaan. He shares that he was only 16 when he was diagnosed with bipolar and anxiety disorder and insomnia. During the phase, he dealt with mixed emotions for every couple of months. He shares, “Sometimes I felt like I was on top of the world and that nobody could stop me. I was extremely confident. Once these feelings subsided, I would become depressed, lock myself in the room. I would neither open the door for anyone nor come out.”

He’d be constantly angry, yelling and breaking things for no reason. He adds, “My grades were dropping and my family tried to help but I wasn’t ready to accept.” His father took him to the doctor, who diagnosed him with bipolar disorder and was later treated at Asha Hospital.

Teenage is a tough phase with many as they face anger and aggression issues. How can one differentiate that from bipolar disorder? “There is a difference between bipolar and anger issues. Watch out when you are breaking too many things and feel helpless as you are not able to control the powerful emotions, that has taken over you. It has to be confirmed by a medical practitioner.”

Shyamanthak Kiran at a session   | Photo Credit: By arrangement

During his sessions, Shyamanthak tries to clear many myths. He gives his perspective of what he experienced and the treatment challenges. “When I was going through it, I wish I had met someone with similar experiences so that I could have talked to them and understood why I was behaving the way I was. A doctor cannot explain everything that can happen to your body. By talking openly, I hope to help someone, to cope with it and believe that it is going to be fine one day.” Now, for the last three years Shyamanthak has been taken off medication and he is leading a regular life.

Society is opening up to addressing mental health issues in a positive way, but it always help to listen to someone who has been through it. Kudos to Shyamanthak who has the courage to step up and share the story of his battle with mental illness.

(Sail Across Poles - A talk by Shyamanthak Kiran — A tale of my life and my journey through bipolar disorder; chronic depression and anxiety disorder and a suicide attempt, will be held at Phoenix Arena on June 16 at 4 30 pm; Entry free)