Meet Maurice Benard
Since 1993, Maurice Benard has played Sonny Corinthos on the ABC soap opera General Hospital. Maurice has made his battle with bipolar disorder public. The writers at General Hospital have even made his on-screen character have bipolar disorder so that he can depict what it’s like to live with bipolar disorder. Maurice’s book, “Nothing General About It,” reveals how he’s learned to live with bipolar disorder and how he’s managing his symptoms. He also started a YouTube show called “State of Mind,” where he shares information on mental health.
Why Maurice Benard Is Mentally Strong
Maurice could have kept his bipolar disorder a secret. But he decided to make his story public. He also started his show because he wanted to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.
What You’ll Hear on the Show
What it’s like to have a ‘nervous breakdown’ The biggest misconceptions people have about bipolar disorder The symptoms of bipolar and what happens during a manic episode How to know when you need medication for a mental health issue How to recognize the difference between temporary mental health issues and permanent ones How Maurice managed increased depression and anxiety during the pandemic How to recognize the things that trigger mental health problems in your life How Maurice has discovered inner peace And why Maurice wants people to know they’re not alone
What You’ll Learn About Mental Health and Mental Strength
Some mental health issues get better with treatment or time. For many people, depression doesn’t last forever. Anxiety may come and go. That’s why it’s important to have a clear understanding of your diagnosis and your prognosis. If you have a mental health issue, education is key to becoming the strongest and best version of yourself.
Quotes From Maurice
“But now I’m who I am with everyone. And it’s a cool feeling.““The difference between me now and me years ago is there’s a peace in me now. I never felt peace inside of me. It was always chaos. And I accepted it. Like, okay, I’m bipolar, so I’m gonna feel this inside of me–this chaos. Now it’s peace.”
More About the Podcast
The Verywell Mind Podcast is available across all streaming platforms. If you like the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Reviews and ratings are a great way to encourage other people to listen and help them prioritize their mental health too. If You Liked This Episode, You Might Also Like These Episodes For media or public speaking inquiries, contact Amy here. Follow Maurice on Instagram: @MauriceBenard Watch Maurice’s YouTube show: State of Mind
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