Have you ever felt like you’re drowning in a sea of darkness, unsure if there’s any hope left? Mental illness can be an isolating experience, leaving us feeling alone and misunderstood. But what if I told you that laughter could be the lifeline you’ve been searching for?
Today, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dave Mowry, a comic who’s turning the tables on mental health stigma one joke at a time. Dave’s journey from successful businessman to someone struggling with severe bipolar disorder is a testament to the power of resilience and the healing nature of humor.
The Unexpected Breakdown
Dave’s story begins with a moment many of us can relate to – overwhelming stress. But for Dave, it wasn’t just a bad day at the office. He describes a sudden, physical sensation of his mind snapping while driving on the freeway. In an instant, his world changed. His muscles went slack, his voice monotone, and his eyesight blurry. This wasn’t just stress – it was the beginning of a long battle with bipolar disorder.
The Struggle to Reach Out
One of the most challenging aspects of mental illness is the difficulty in asking for help. Dave couldn’t even go to the mailbox without fear of encountering a neighbor. He describes the paralyzing anxiety of potentially having to interact with someone, afraid they’d see the emptiness or pain in his eyes.
“I couldn’t reach out. I was incapable. And my wife is truly the hero of my story.”
Dave’s wife stood by him through homelessness and massive debt, holding their family together when many others might have walked away. It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of support systems in mental health recovery.
The Long Road to Diagnosis
Getting the right diagnosis and treatment for mental illness can be a frustrating journey. For Dave, it took nearly two decades to receive an accurate diagnosis of bipolar disorder. This delay wasn’t just due to the nature of his illness, but also highlights the challenges in navigating the healthcare system.
Finding Healing Through Humor
The turning point in Dave’s story came from an unexpected source – stand-up comedy. Through a class teaching comedy to people with mental illness, Dave discovered a powerful tool for reframing his experiences and changing the pathways in his brain.
“Instead of going back to that dark day, I’d say, okay, where can I find the humor in that? Where can I find the joke in that?”
This shift in perspective didn’t just help Dave – it became a way for him to help others too. By teaching comedy to others with mental health challenges, he’s witnessed incredible transformations, helping people see themselves as comics rather than defined by their illness.
Breaking Down Stigma One Laugh at a Time
Dave’s approach to mental health advocacy is refreshingly unique. By using humor to talk about serious topics like medication side effects, anxiety, and even suicide, he’s opening up conversations that might otherwise be too uncomfortable to broach.
Here’s a taste of Dave’s humor:
“I decided to do something about it. I joined a health club, and I started doing the treadmill. Didn’t take long to realize the treadmill was a perfect exercise for someone with a mental illness, because you do the same thing over and over and over again, and you never get anywhere.”
It’s this kind of relatable, self-deprecating humor that helps break down barriers and shows that people with mental illness are just that – people. They can walk, talk, tell jokes, and live full lives.
Hope for Those Still Struggling
If you’re currently facing mental health challenges, Dave’s message is clear: there is hope. It’s okay to accept your illness without resigning yourself to it. Take it one step at a time, and remember that recovery is possible.
For those looking to learn more about living with mental illness, Dave’s book “OMG That’s Me” and his blog posts on bphope.com offer raw, honest insights into the daily realities of managing bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and more.
The Power of Laughter in Healing
Dave’s story reminds us of the incredible power of laughter in the face of adversity. It’s not about making light of serious issues, but about finding a way to cope, connect, and even thrive despite them. Whether you’re dealing with mental health challenges yourself or supporting someone who is, remember that a little humor can go a long way in the healing process.
So the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed by the darkness, try looking for the punchline. You might just find it’s the first step towards the light.
Resources:
National Alliance on Mental Illness