I am enough

I am enough.

In January 2002, I was diagnosed with a Serious Mental Illness (SMI). 

"Bipolar disorder is a neurobiological brain disorder that affects approximately 2.3 million Americans today, or almost 1 percent of the population."

My mother says that I have been my own biggest critic for most of my life. Even before my mental health diagnosis, I was suffering from a case of idealistic perfectionism.

These two things compounded into self-criticism and diminished self-confidence.

While researching Self-Confidence in regards too Leadership, I found that the first step in conquering a lack of Self-Confidence is to "Address your self-doubt". Then one can move on to "Recognizing One's Accomplishments".

Thinking about this, I have identified the biggest accomplishment in my life so far... 

Getting married to my wife, Kayo.

The decade before meeting Kayo were some of the most challenging years in my life. Learning to overcome a diagnosis with SMI by learning to manage, monitor, and accept my condition was no easy or quick journey. I truly believed that I was broken and no one would ever want to partner with me.

Currently, I am blessed and grateful to be "highly functional" in both my personal and professional life.

Thank you, Universe. For giving me this challenge to learn the importance of self-care, self-love, and self-confidence.

Whenever I am feeling self-doubt, I will think of my wedding day, the journey it took to get there, and every person that supported me along the way.

Inhale confidence. Exhale Doubt.

I am enough.

This Is Me

Adrian Cunanan

Diagnosis: Bipolar I • Year Diagnosed: 2002 • Location: Brooklyn, NY

Age: 37 • Occupation: Creative Technologist, Entrepreneur


NICKNAME: A-dreeeeeeeeee! It is what my girlfriend and her 8-year-old son call me. Nothing beats coming home to a loving family that is so happy to see me.

FAVORITE TV SHOW: Silicon Valley on HBO. I have my own company, so I can relate to the challenges of launching a start-up. And I grew up not far from San Francisco, so I love the inside jokes about the Bay Area.

MOST TREASURED ITEM: An album with pictures and letters from my family and best friends, given to me during my second hospitalization. It was a reminder that I was not alone in my effort to recover and learn to thrive again.

IT MIGHT SURPRISE YOU TO KNOW: I used to dance for a hip-hop crew called Kaba Modern.

MY HERO IS: Leonardo da Vinci, for embodying the concept of realizing one’s potential.

BEST RESOURCE: My brother. Anthony has been there to help me when I couldn’t help myself.

BIGGEST CHALLENGE I’VE OVERCOME: Learning to accept my condition. Acceptance was the first step toward gaining management techniques and rebuilding my confidence.

PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT: Pairing my experience of learning to manage bipolar disorder with my technology skills to launch ThriveTracker, a mental health platform for web and mobile devices.

CURRENT STATE OF MIND: Blessed and grateful.


Photo: ANTHONY CUNANAN FIVE ZERO TWO for bp Magazine

Source: http://bphope.com