Ep. 28 - Real Stories - Matt (Part One) - Growing Up Gen X: Skating, Punk Rock, Alcoholism, and the First Signs of Mental Health Issues/Bipolar Disorder
About this episode
Matt shares his childhood experiences and the early signs of his mental health journey, including bipolar disorder and alcoholism.
In this Real Stories episode I sit down with my brother Matt, to explore our shared childhood and the beginning of his very personal mental health journey. Matt opens up about growing up in Santa Monica, California, the move to Austin, Texas in the 1980s, and then to the SF Bay Area—and how those transitions triggered his first experiences with depression. Matt walks listeners through early signs of bipolar disorder—deep lows, impulsive highs, and risky decisions—years before he was formally diagnosed around 2010. Episode Summary: Matt shares how an 80s/90s California‑to‑Texas‑to‑Bay‑Area childhood, unspoken pain, and early alcohol use intersected with undiagnosed bipolar disorder, long before he found sobriety and treatment. Content warnings & resources This episode includes discussion of: Depression, possible suicidal ideation, and bipolar disorder. Alcohol abuse and addiction. Traumatic events including a residential fire If you or someone you know is struggling, please dial 988 or text TALK to 741-741 Support and Resources: Mental Health Resources…
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