9 months ago
Create a book cover for a book titled How to Spell Bipolar by Tukura John Daniel. Be creative with it. It is a book on mental health, the author's lived experience. Below is the introduction to the book for further details: On July 23, 2021, I attempted to take my life.
It marked the first time in my 31 years on this planet that I accepted and
acknowledged defeat. I was utterly exhausted from the ceaseless struggle - the
constant humming sound inside my head, the feeling of being stretched too thin, and
the need to restart my life every four years. The horror within drove me to
contemplate splitting my head open, seeking an end to the torment.
My brain is both a tremendous blessing and a torturous curse. Throughout my life,
I’ve been an easily likable, multi-talented individual and a family-oriented social
crusader. I’ve influenced social change within the communities I’m involved with,
launched the careers of numerous creatives in Nigeria and beyond, and repeatedly
made millions of naira. Recently, I’ve even helped organizations restructure and
increase profits. People trust and respect me due to my ability to connect the dots in
complex situations. However, there’s another side to my story: I’ve lost nearly all
the money I ever made, failed miserably at running a production and publishing
company, struggled academically, and damaged significant relationships, losing the
trust of those who matter most to me.
These struggles didn’t emerge overnight. My childhood was marked by extreme
mood swings which were both confusing and terrifying. I’d experience bursts of high
energy, followed by sudden withdrawal into a corner, avoiding human contact.
Despite being one of the brightest students, I despised school. The slow teaching
style suffocated me; my brain worked too fast, sometimes resulting in slurred speech.
Concentration was elusive. Some mornings, I’d wake up and avoid talking to
anyone, not even offering greetings. I cried without reason, perhaps out of fear and
confusion. Since Primary Six, a persistent humming sound has echoed in my head,
a constant companion throughout my life. These experiences set me apart as a
peculiar child, and as I grew older, they evolved into serious challenges.
For years, I resisted seeking a diagnosis, despite suggestions from older, respected
friends. The idea of seeing a psychiatrist seemed absurd. We associate psychiatrists
solely with madness over here. No one explained that mental illness differs
significantly from insanity. No one told me that the brain, like any other body part,
could fall ill. Only after the damage had taken its toll did I finally agree to
professional help. In 2021, I surrendered to a diagnosis: bipolar disorder. This book
aims to document my journey toward healing from this under-documented yet
remarkably common condition.
I’ve lived my entire life with bipolar disorder, but it wasn’t until age 31 that I
discovered the truth, after surviving two major meltdowns. The first occurred around
the end of 2015, although I didn’t fully recognize it until 2016. At the time, my film
and publishing businesses thrived, and I secured several lucrative deals. Then,
suddenly, I withdrew from everyone - I stopped speaking, ceased all activity, and
locked myself in my house for an entire week. Initially, I danced to loud music, but
soon I neglected basic hygiene, surviving on bread alone. Friends attempted to reach
me, but I refused to let them in. Opening the door felt like a miracle. By the end of
October 2016, I had closed my business and ceased working altogether. I grappled
with completing a project that would later become a landmark achievement for the
largest group of writers in Africa. The second meltdown began in 2020 and reached
its peak in 2021.
“How to Spell Bipolar” is a movement designed to create awareness and foster
conversations around mental health. Discussing one’s lived experience with mental
illness is no easy task, regardless of location. However, in Nigeria, where all forms
of mental illnesses are often equated with insanity, it becomes particularly
challenging. As an emerging political leader, sharing deeply personal information
feels like a perilous act - one that will likely be weaponized against me both now
and in the future. But someone must lead this crucial campaign to ensure that help
is readily available and easily accessible for those facing mental health challenges,
regardless of the consequences. I am well now and have learned a great deal about
how to manage this illness, the best way to exert vengeance for all my suffering is
to educate as many people as possible.
I hope this little book reaches someone out there, letting them know they are not
alone. It may also provide clarity or closure for confused family members seeking
to understand a beloved relative’s struggles. Above all, I aim to offer a humanized
perspective to policymakers and politicians, urging them to recognize the urgency
of improving mental health services for all in Nigeria.
Tukura John Daniel
