Andy Dunn, successful founder and angel investor, talks about living with Bipolar I disorder. He discusses the stigma and challenges of mental health in the startup community. They explore the mindset of entrepreneurs and the importance of prioritizing mental health. The hosts reflect on criticism and hope for free expression in sharing their experiences. They also discuss the addictive nature of work and the magic of disclosure.
Entrepreneurs are more likely to experience mental health conditions, with founders being twice as likely to suffer from depression, have suicidal thoughts, suffer from substance abuse, have ADHD, and suffer from bipolar disorder.
Andy Dunn emphasizes the importance of normalizing the conversation around mental health struggles in the startup community, reducing shame and stigma, and empowering individuals to disclose and embrace their stories to remove the stigma and empower themselves.
Deep dives
The Impact of Mental Health on Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs are more likely to experience mental health conditions, with founders being twice as likely to suffer from depression, have suicidal thoughts, suffer from substance abuse, have ADHD, and suffer from bipolar disorder. This episode features Andy Dunn, a successful founder with bipolar disorder, who discusses the challenges and motivations of entrepreneurs. He emphasizes that entrepreneurs are wired to endure challenges and that the pain of entrepreneurship leads to growth. He also highlights the importance of normalizing the conversation around mental health struggles in order to reduce shame and stigma.
Overcoming Shame and Embracing Vulnerability
Andy Dunn shares his personal journey of overcoming shame and embracing vulnerability in regards to his bipolar disorder diagnosis. He reveals that he felt anger over the societal shame associated with his diagnosis and decided to write a memoir to expunge that toxic emotion. He encourages individuals with mental health diagnoses to disclose and embrace their stories to remove the stigma and empower themselves. He also discusses the importance of language in mental health discussions, emphasizing the need to say 'having bipolar' rather than 'being bipolar.'
The Nuances of Bipolar Disorder
Andy Dunn provides insights into bipolar disorder, highlighting the differences between bipolar type one and bipolar type two. He explains that bipolar disorder is characterized by mood swings, with bipolar one experiencing more extreme highs and potential for psychosis. He emphasizes that bipolar disorder can be over-diagnosed and under-diagnosed, and individuals should seek professional guidance for accurate diagnosis and treatment. He also shares his personal experience with the condition and the importance of self-care and consistent treatment.
Improving Mental Healthcare and Promoting Empathy
Andy Dunn discusses the improvements needed in the healthcare system for mental health support. He advocates for better reimbursement rates for mental health services, increased accessibility to affordable care, and normalized conversations around mental health. He also shares his optimism about the potential impact of virtual mental healthcare and the importance of amplifying the existing care options. Additionally, he emphasizes the need for empathy and understanding towards individuals with mental health diagnoses, and the role of disclosure in creating connection and reducing judgment.
As you probably know by now, May is Mental Health Awareness Month. But what you might not know is that entrepreneurs are 50% more likely to report having a mental health condition, including being:
2X more likely to suffer from depression
2X more likely to have suicidal thoughts
3X more likely to suffer from substance abuse
6X more likely to have ADHD
10X more likely to suffer from bi-polar disorder
In this episode, successful founder and angel investor Andy Dunn talks about living with Bipolar I disorder.
Andy Dunn is an entrepreneur, author, investor, and father. Andy co-founded the menswear brand Bonobos, which sold for $310 million. Last year, he published a memoir called Burn Rate: Launching a Startup and Losing My Mind, which detailed his up-until-then private journey with bipolar disorder.
Listen to this important episode as we normalize talking about mental health disorders in the startup community.