From the Battlefield to Bipolar Advocacy: A Discussion with Major General Gregg Martin, PhD
“On the battlefield, my mission was clear. In my battle with bipolar disorder, it was anything but. What I once approached with training and certainty became a journey through confusion and discovery.”
— Major General (Ret.) Gregg Martin, PhD
In a candid conversation with BD² Integrated Network Program Director Emily Baxi, PhD, Major General (Ret.) Gregg Martin, PhD, reflects on his path from leading troops in Iraq to becoming a national advocate for mental health awareness and bipolar disorder research.
A decorated combat veteran and former Army strategist, Martin spent decades excelling under the relentless pace of military leadership, unaware that the same drive and energy fueling his success were early signs of bipolar disorder. His eventual diagnosis at age 58 set him on a new mission: to understand the illness, manage it, and share his story to help others find hope and clarity amid uncertainty.
Through his experiences, Martin highlights how scientific research, clinical care, and lived experience must work together to break stigma and improve outcomes for people with bipolar disorder.
Watch the full discussion below and read more from Martin in his memoir: Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness