Four Score & Seven Months Ago

(Record scratch. Freeze frame.)

Hi! It's been a minute. I bet you're wondering how I got here.

Not so long ago, over the course of a few intense weeks, I entered into a drug-induced psychosis, which triggered a dormant bipolar episode.

After decades of suppressing it, trying to self-medicate, it all came out.

Initially, I was devastated and angry.

"Why the hell am I in a hospital gown?"

But when I finally came to, those emotions turned into relief and gratitude.

Especially for my family and loved ones, who were the first to notice something was wrong with me (and in turn, saving me from myself).

For that, I am forever grateful.

And suffice it to say, I’m now completely sober and free from all substances.

But since you’re probably curious, here’s the scoop:

When I was in my most manic state of mind, I was having delusions of grandeur. Things escalated quickly.

Not in the vein of "I want more followers on social" or "I want more newsletter subscribers."

More like: "I believe that I, Elliot K. Schwartz, can help solve world peace."

And I was intent on making that happen.

(Kind of like former NBA player Ron Artest who literally changed his name)

"A Magic-al Story"

Speaking of L.A. basketball greats, one of the most inspiring stories I know about illness is none other than Magic Johnson.

If you don't know, Magic was on his way to becoming the greatest basketball player of all time.

But in a shocking turn of events, he contracted HIV/AIDS.

Not only did it put a sudden hault to his superstardom, but his story became defined by that diagnosis.

Other players were even afraid to share the court with him out of fear of contracting it too.

Magic was devastated.

Until he met Elizabeth Glaser, a former actress turned AIDS activist.

Elizabeth told Magic that he could spin the story around into something powerful, a message of hope and voice for an entire generation of unvoiced sufferers.

Magic did just that.

Magic leaned into his diagnosis. He used his fame to raise unprecedented awareness, and in doing so, probably saved thousands of lives.

As psychologist Alfred Adler says: "The important thing is not what one is born with but what use one makes of that equipment."

Magic wasn't born with this disease, but he chose to use his platform for service.

That’s what I’m learning to do, imperfectly.

In my small way, sharing my story of mental illness—here in my newsletter, on social media, or even in anonymous meetings—feels like I'm playing my part.

I'll continue to share details over time…

Because if I had heard stories like mine earlier, maybe I could've have recognized my symptoms earlier. Maybe my ordeal will help one person prevent theirs.

So the question is: how will you use your abilities, disabilities, and uniqueness?

-EKS