The life of Eric Walton … mental illness and fear until the age of thirteen. Now, three years after diagnosis and treatment, Eric talks about what it is to have bipolar disorder, what it is to grow up surrounded by fear and stigma, and what each person can do to help fix the issues surrounding mental illness. He helps us understand, from the inside, his journey from fear to strength.

Eric Walton is a sixteen-year-old student at Sage International School of Boise. He enjoys reading books, writing books, watching television, playing games and spending time with his friends. He values honesty, compassion and joyfulness. He also has Bipolar Disorder, a neurological condition that, when untreated, causes him to go from mania to depression rather quickly. When treated, he’s like any other normal teenager—other than what he calls his “incredibly nerdy tendencies.” He’s a major fan of Star Trek, Dr. Who, Star Wars—you get the picture. His favorite books include Dune, Lord of the Rings, Ender’s Game, and of course his own.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx