Sinead O’Connor, the Irish singer of Nothing Compares to U, just announced that she is cancelling her latest tour due to her bipolar disorder. I admire her so very much. I remember when she told the world that she has the illness. It definitely explained her behavior in the 80s. (Tearing up a picture of the pope on Saturday Night Live, etc.)
We are the same age and have done many of the same dumb things- of course they are not dumb, just bipolar. Last year she was married for 16 days and then got divorced. It sounds like Sinead was pretty manic.
Many of us have been there.
I married my first husband Dan after spending a month together. I moved in with my ex Ivan after knowing him for a week.
Here is the first paragraph of a Washington Post article on her announcement:
NEW YORK — Sinead O’Connor says she is canceling her 2012 tour due to her bipolar disorder.
The singer made the announcement Monday in a posting on her website. She wrote that she is “very unwell” and had been advised by her doctor to not hit the road after her “very serious breakdown between December and March.”
Oh Sinead, so admirable! If only all of those in the public eye could be as forthcomig- I know it’s not possible, but we can wish! I don’t think anyone will judge her for having bipolar and I don’t think people will stop going to her concerts. What do you think?
I once had to quit a book project because I was so sick. My letter to my editor sounded just like her announcement.
Bipolar disorder is an illness. It affects us all in the same way- famous or not famous.
Julie
PS: The picture is of Sinead in the 80s.
Julie,
I am so thankful that I found your books, newsletter, blog, podcasts, etc. My husband and teenaged son both have bipolar II and the information you share is very helpful. It’s like an oasis in the middle of the desert, thank you 🙂