--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder…" description: "\"I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was 13. What kept me going was knowing that so many other musicians like Charley Pride and others have bip..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/750/jimmie-allen-6209_bipolar-disorder_i-was-diagnosed-with-bipolar-disorder-wh_1322885.jpg" --- # I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was 13. What… ![“I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was 13. What kept me going was knowing that so many other musicians like Charley Pride and others have bipolar disorder and how they were able to function.” quote by Jimmie Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/750/jimmie-allen-6209_bipolar-disorder_i-was-diagnosed-with-bipolar-disorder-wh_1322885.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/750/jimmie-allen-6209_bipolar-disorder_i-was-diagnosed-with-bipolar-disorder-wh_1322885.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/750/jimmie-allen-6209_bipolar-disorder_i-was-diagnosed-with-bipolar-disorder-wh_1322885.jpg) > “I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was 13. What kept me going was knowing that so many other musicians like Charley Pride and others have bipolar disorder and how they were able to function.” [Jimmie Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmie-allen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Finding comfort in shared experience of mental illness among musicians provides resilience and hope. **In simple terms:** Shared struggles give strength. Key Takeaway Seek community with similar experiences. Themes mental health resilience musicians Mood hopeful empathetic Type inspirational personal narrative When to use this quote - adolescence - career - creative work - support groups Key Concepts bipolar disorder role models coping strategies Questions to Reflect On - How can you connect with others facing similar issues? - What support systems help you most? A Different Perspective May not all musicians share the same challenges; stigma can persist. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bipolar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bipolar/) [Bipolar disorder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bipolar-disorder/) [Musicians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/musicians/) [Pride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pride/) ## Related quotes > [I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was barely out of my teens. Like our olive skin tone and caterpillar eyebrows, I guess…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aj-lee/i-was-diagnosed-with-bipolar-disorder-when-i-was-barely-out-of-my/) [AJ Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aj-lee/) > [When I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder the year I turned 50, it was certainly a shock. But as a journalist, knowing a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-pauley/when-i-was-diagnosed-with-bipolar-disorder-the-year-i-turned-50-it/) [Jane Pauley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-pauley/) > [I was diagnosed as bipolar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harbour/i-was-diagnosed-as-bipolar/) [David Harbour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harbour/) > [I had been falsely diagnosed with everything from ADHD to bipolar disorder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-bowen/i-had-been-falsely-diagnosed-with-everything-from-adhd-to-bipolar/) [James Bowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-bowen/) > [When I taught writing classes to psychiatric patients, I met people whose stories of manic highs and immobilizing lows appeared to be textbook descriptions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siri-hustvedt/when-i-taught-writing-classes-to-psychiatric-patients-i-met-people/) [Siri Hustvedt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siri-hustvedt/) > [In total, I was diagnosed with depression by eight psychotherapists and psychiatrists over a period of thirteen years. Diagnosed wrong. Absolutely wrong. My accurate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-behrman/in-total-i-was-diagnosed-with-depression-by-eight-psychotherapists/) [Andy Behrman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-behrman/) > [I was sober for, like, a year and a half, and I was 25, and I actually did have a manic episode, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harbour/i-was-sober-for-like-a-year-and-a-half-and-i-was-25-and-i-actually/) [David Harbour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harbour/) > [I was diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder at 19, which I thought would derail my career. Thankfully, I was able to get help and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mauro-ranallo/i-was-diagnosed-with-bipolar-affective-disorder-at-19-which-i-thought/) [Mauro Ranallo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mauro-ranallo/) > [When I got diagnosed, they started listing names. They were like, 'You know who else is bipolar? Selena Gomez.' And I was like, 'That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-tomlinson/when-i-got-diagnosed-they-started-listing-names-they-were-like-you/) [Taylor Tomlinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-tomlinson/) > [“Joshua had always been able to get away with things—things for which he should never have been forgiven. He was a lot like James…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hazel-butler/joshua-had-always-been-able-to-get-away-with-things-things-for-which/) [Hazel Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hazel-butler/) > [“James had taken his own life, but the need to do so was not something easily explained. He had the life he wanted: money,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hazel-butler/james-had-taken-his-own-life-but-the-need-to-do-so-was-not-something/) [Hazel Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hazel-butler/) > [When I harnessed its seemingly uncontrollable might, I realized bipolar disorder's powers could be used for good. My diagnosis didn't have to be an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aj-lee/when-i-harnessed-its-seemingly-uncontrollable-might-i-realized/) [AJ Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aj-lee/) > [I was hoping that I could say stuff about mental illness that maybe people didn't know. You know, speak up for bipolar disorder and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-millegan/i-was-hoping-that-i-could-say-stuff-about-mental-illness-that-maybe/) [Eric Millegan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-millegan/) > [“Creativity is closely associated with bipolar disorder. This condition is unique . Many famous historical figures and artists have had this. Yet they have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/preeti-shenoy/creativity-is-closely-associated-with-bipolar-disorder-this-condition/) [Preeti Shenoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/preeti-shenoy/) > [Sometimes labeling is only useful, like with OCD. Once you're labeled you can be treated. On other occasions labeling leads to tyranny, like with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ronson/sometimes-labeling-is-only-useful-like-with-ocd-once-you-re-labeled/) [Jon Ronson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ronson/) ## More by Jimmie Allen > [I wanted to be a dad. But I never wanted to get married. Alexis changed that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmie-allen/i-wanted-to-be-a-dad-but-i-never-wanted-to-get-married-alexis-changed/) [Jimmie Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmie-allen/) > [I realized for me and my mental health, I needed to be doing something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmie-allen/i-realized-for-me-and-my-mental-health-i-needed-to-be-doing-something/) [Jimmie Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmie-allen/) > [My dad and my mom told me, 'Don't just think there's one way to be successful.' Remember, there's more than one way to spread…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmie-allen/my-dad-and-my-mom-told-me-don-t-just-think-there-s-one-way-to-be/) [Jimmie Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmie-allen/) > [I always wanted to be like a darker-complected Keith Urban, but I don't play the guitar that well. And I'm a little taller.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmie-allen/i-always-wanted-to-be-like-a-darker-complected-keith-urban-but-i-don/) [Jimmie Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmie-allen/) > [When you feel like you're isolated and you're on your own, you feel hopeless and who knows what those hopeless thoughts can turn into.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmie-allen/when-you-feel-like-you-re-isolated-and-you-re-on-your-own-you-feel/) [Jimmie Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmie-allen/) > [As long as you work hard, you're consistent, show up every day and you're good to people, there are tons of opportunity no matter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmie-allen/as-long-as-you-work-hard-you-re-consistent-show-up-every-day-and-you/) [Jimmie Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmie-allen/) > [I believe the right lyric and melody can soar beyond the clouds to the ears of the heavens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmie-allen/i-believe-the-right-lyric-and-melody-can-soar-beyond-the-clouds-to/) [Jimmie Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmie-allen/) > [All my dad listened to was country music, you know?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmie-allen/all-my-dad-listened-to-was-country-music-you-know/) [Jimmie Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmie-allen/) > [Kanye is my favorite hip hop artist of all time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmie-allen/kanye-is-my-favorite-hip-hop-artist-of-all-time/) [Jimmie Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmie-allen/) > [I always wanna align myself with people I respect. I always wanna take a step back and think, 'How is this person as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmie-allen/i-always-wanna-align-myself-with-people-i-respect-i-always-wanna-take/) [Jimmie Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmie-allen/) > [My Grammy nomination didn't come from hip-hop, didn't come from R&B, didn't come from rock - it came from my success in country music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmie-allen/my-grammy-nomination-didn-t-come-from-hip-hop-didn-t-come-from-r-b/) [Jimmie Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmie-allen/) > [I feel like life is about being a good parent but also doing what you love because doing what you love inspires your kids…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmie-allen/i-feel-like-life-is-about-being-a-good-parent-but-also-doing-what-you/) [Jimmie Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmie-allen/) > [Everything that I write, I somehow tie it back into who I am and how I grew up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmie-allen/everything-that-i-write-i-somehow-tie-it-back-into-who-i-am-and-how-i/) [Jimmie Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmie-allen/) > [We got a chance to represent Black country artists for younger Black kids who want to do country but don't feel anyone out there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmie-allen/we-got-a-chance-to-represent-black-country-artists-for-younger-black/) [Jimmie Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmie-allen/) > [I like my coffee about the color of my skin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmie-allen/i-like-my-coffee-about-the-color-of-my-skin/) [Jimmie Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmie-allen/) [Explore all 99 Jimmie Allen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmie-allen/) ## More Bipolar quotes > [Sometimes labeling is only useful, like with OCD. Once you're labeled you can be treated. On other occasions labeling leads to tyranny, like with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ronson/sometimes-labeling-is-only-useful-like-with-ocd-once-you-re-labeled/) [Jon Ronson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ronson/) > [Society takes what it wants. The artist himself does not count, because there is no actual existence for the work of art. The work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/society-takes-what-it-wants-the-artist-himself-does-not-count-because/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [It's more common than not that bipolar illness will start in the teens. One of the reasons I spend a lot of time on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-redfield-jamison/it-s-more-common-than-not-that-bipolar-illness-will-start-in-the/) [Kay Redfield Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-redfield-jamison/) > [Every seventeen minutes in America, someone commits suicide. Mostly, I have been impressed by how little value our society puts on saving the lives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-redfield-jamison/every-seventeen-minutes-in-america-someone-commits-suicide-mostly-i/) [Kay Redfield Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-redfield-jamison/) > [Madness is to think of too many things in succession too fast, or of one thing too exclusively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/madness-is-to-think-of-too-many-things-in-succession-too-fast-or-of/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [Flippin up my phone, touch screen motorola. They figured I was bipolar the way I sipped that syrup and soda.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riff-raff/flippin-up-my-phone-touch-screen-motorola-they-figured-i-was-bipolar/) [Riff Raff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riff-raff/) > [“Creativity is closely associated with bipolar disorder. This condition is unique . Many famous historical figures and artists have had this. Yet they have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/preeti-shenoy/creativity-is-closely-associated-with-bipolar-disorder-this-condition/) [Preeti Shenoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/preeti-shenoy/) > [Ordinarily he was insane, but he had lucid moments when he was merely stupid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinrich-heine/ordinarily-he-was-insane-but-he-had-lucid-moments-when-he-was-merely/) [Heinrich Heine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinrich-heine/) > [I was hoping that I could say stuff about mental illness that maybe people didn't know. You know, speak up for bipolar disorder and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-millegan/i-was-hoping-that-i-could-say-stuff-about-mental-illness-that-maybe/) [Eric Millegan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-millegan/) > [I have never gone for a diagnosis and I don't consider myself to be bipolar, but I have extreme moods. I get heightened. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-quentin/i-have-never-gone-for-a-diagnosis-and-i-don-t-consider-myself-to-be/) [Caroline Quentin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-quentin/) > [When you're depressed, you know, it's like the world has ended. Even getting out of bed takes the most massive amount of effort. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherman-alexie/when-you-re-depressed-you-know-it-s-like-the-world-has-ended-even/) [Sherman Alexie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherman-alexie/) > [“I thought I would inaugurate a Bipolar Pride Day. You know, with floats and parades and stuff! On the floats we would get the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-fisher/i-thought-i-would-inaugurate-a-bipolar-pride-day-you-know-with-floats/) [Carrie Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-fisher/) > [I just always wanted to study human behavior because every psychologist that I would talk to would tell me I was bipolar, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-gates/i-just-always-wanted-to-study-human-behavior-because-every/) [Kevin Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-gates/) > [“Insomuch as the structure of this book parallels that of my own mind, it boasts about as much order and linearity as a hallucination.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-moezzi/insomuch-as-the-structure-of-this-book-parallels-that-of-my-own-mind/) Melody Moezzi > [“In our family "whim-wham" is code, a defanged reference to any number of moods and psychological disorders, be they depressive, manic, or schizoaffective. Back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lovelace/in-our-family-whim-wham-is-code-a-defanged-reference-to-any-number-of/) [David Lovelace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lovelace/) [Browse all 373 Bipolar quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bipolar/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was 13. 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