Andy Behrman- Electroboy Bipolar Sensory Overload- Chewing on Sidewalks and Swallowing Sunlight Until Electroconvulsive Therapy

Andy Behrman is a larger than life personality, a nonfiction writer, and a national speaker. Andy was the subject of a New York media scandal for counterfeiting the Modern Art of Mark Kotsabi, the same art he once sold, putting him in federal prison for five months. Andy spent numerous sleepless nights fueled by drugs, had anonymous sex, traveled aimlessly, went on midnight binges and was even a male hustler. But before all of that, Andy had a happy childhood growing up in New Jersey, a golden boy who went on to graduate from Wesleyan University. Because he was never comfortable in his own skin he sought a high wherever he could find one and went on to change jobs the way some people change outfits, becoming a filmmaker, PR agent, stripper, or whatever made him feel invincible and bright.

For years he was misdiagnosed by psychiatrists and psychotherapists, which only fueled his out-of-control euphoric highs and tornado-like rages of depression. At his most psychotic, Andy imagined himself chewing on sidewalks and swallowing sunlight. He was finally diagnosed when he was 29 with having bipolar disorder. After trying over 45 different medications, he decided to try electroconvulsive therapy, formerly known as electric shock treatment. Afterall Ernest Hemingway did ECT and Andy thought it was glamorous. Nineteen treatments later, Andy wrote Electroboy: A Memoir of Mania. 

Andy lives in Los Angeles with his two beautiful teenage daughters. He doesn’t believe in true recovery for bipolar but rather feels lucky to be alive and manage his disorder by taking it one day at a time. One thing is for sure, Andy is outspoken, lively and controversial.  

Show Note Links:

Andy Behrman's Book, "Electroboy: A Memoir of Mania"

Andy Behrman's Twitter

Mark Kostabi- Modern Artist

Kay Redfield Jamison's book, "An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness"

Elizabeth Wurtzel's book, "Prozac Nation: Young and Depressed in America"

Pressured Speech Definition

Stephen Fry's Youtube Video about Andy Behrman's Electric Shock Therapy

Suicide Prevention Hotline

Dear Family, the Podcast