Kevin Rowan

Bipolar1: a Psychotic Experience Kevin Rowan

Kevin Rowan was born 19th March 1962 and grew up in Kirkby on Merseyside. He enjoyed a carefree childhood. Whilst never really excelling at school, he and subsequently gained BA Business Studies at Teesside Polytechnic. Kevin embarked on a 16 year career in Marketing with well known employers earning above average wage. At the age of 29 he had a psychosis and was diagnosed with Bipolar Affective Disorder. Over a period of 14 years he experienced eight psychotic episodes where his actions and thoughts were determined by "voices in the head" and had subsequent periods of treatment, side-effects and depression. Kevin continued with his career, to the best of his ability, given the impact and seriousness of his condition, but both career and marriage slowly fell apart over time due to its consequences. In 2006 life began to settle down, having found suitable medication and coming to terms with living with Bipolar. Circumstances had taken Kevin very close to suicide and bankruptcy with several changes in unsuitable employment. A search for work that did not cause a stressful reaction that could cause further health problems led to employment as a postal clerk at a major organization in Liverpool City Centre. The future became something once again to look forward to. www.bipolar1.me.uk