Coping With Bipolar Disorder, Addiction, and Suicidal Thoughts: Zane’s Mental Health Story

What if you could talk back to depression the same way you would defend a friend from a bully?
 In this candid episode, comedian and rapper Zane Thomas shares his lived experience with bipolar disorder, addiction, and suicidal thoughts—and how humor and self-talk became lifelines in his recovery.

Zane opens up about substance use, the lies depression tells, and the power of reaching out before it’s too late. He shows us how laughter, connection, and the simple question “What are you excited for?” can shift perspective and create space for hope.

This is an unfiltered, stigma-smashing conversation about surviving with mental illness and building resilience, one honest moment at a time.

Primary Topics Covered:

• Zane’s lived experience with bipolar disorder and addiction
• How depression lies and repeats the same messages to everyone
• Talking back to dark thoughts as a coping tool
• Using humor as a form of healing and connection
• Substance abuse as a coping mechanism—and its dangers
• The role of community, social media, and support networks
• Why asking “What are you excited for?” is a powerful mental health question
• The importance of language when talking about suicide and mental health

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Zane Thomas and his story
 02:09 - Zane’s viral Instagram video on suicidal thoughts
 04:23 - Talking back to depression like a bully
 06:49 - Realizing depression tells everyone the same lies
 07:57 - Using humor as a mental health coping strategy
 09:05 - Dealing with depression that comes from “nowhere”
 10:37 - The power of the word “yet” in recovery
 11:42 - Music, comedy, and creativity shaped by mental illness
 12:35 - How substance use became a coping mechanism
 13:31 - The turning point: losing a friend and drug use escalation
 14:29 - Alcohol’s toxic impact on bipolar disorder
 15:28 - Gambling with alcohol and emotions
 16:54 - Why Zane offers to listen before it’s too late
 17:01 - The best question to ask someone struggling: “What are you excited for?”
18:00 - Fighting stigma by keeping conversations real and supportive

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