Manic Man is an account of Jason Wegner’s experiences living with a severe mental illness: bipolar I disorder. The story begins with an outline of Jason’s life before the hypomanic stage of his illness kicked in. The mania started when Jason took the dangerous psychedelic drug LSD, and it accelerated a few weeks later when he travelled to Tanzania, where he found himself in a full-blown manic episode. After he returned home, weeks of mania until he was tricked into an ambulance and taken to the hospital’s emergency wing. He remained in an acute psychiatry ward for 57 days, and 7 months of depression followed. With help from his psychologist Dr. Kerry Bernes, Jason lifted himself out of severe depression. Dr. Bernes developed 'The Octagon of Life,' centralising Jason’s focus and recovery on 8 areas. Following the plan, Jason’s depression ameliorated, and he experienced post-traumatic growth that has made him a more fulfilled person than he was before his diagnosis.

About the author

Jason Wegner is currently a university student at the University of Lethbridge, working towards becoming an English Language Arts Teacher. His writing experience includes participating in 14 major writing courses at the University of Lethbridge and producing dozens of undergraduate essays.Jason was diagnosed with bipolar I disorder in late August of 2017. After a year and a half of recovering from his manic episode, he began writing his memoir about the experience, which he has called Manic Man: How to Live Successfully with a Severe Mental Illness. Jason also launched his speaking career in 2019 and has been a keynote speaker on five separate occasions, one of which was to a crowd of 250 people.Jason’s psychologist and co-author, Dr. Kerry Bernes, has a Bachelor of Education degree, a Master of Science, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology from the University of Calgary. Dr. Bernes is a registered psychologist, member of various associations in the field of psychology, and has experience as a Teacher, Sessional Instructor, Associate Professor, Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies and Research in Education, Assistant Professor and has been a Full Professor at the University of Lethbridge since July 2012.