By Adam Boland (Sunrise Executive Producer)

 

++ UPDATED 23 July 7.08am

 

Sunrise Executive Producer Adam Boland talks about living with bipolar disorder (Type 2).

When was the first time you realised something was up?

Mum mentioned it to me when I was about 19 - she  found some web-based research that she thought indicated I had bipolar.

But I ignored it for about 10 or 12 years after that.

I don’t remember having dramatic mood swings until my late twenties.

I always considered myself creative, but only then did I started to feel ups and downs.

Were you relieved when it was officially diagnosed?

Mixed emotions. I felt that I was always normal - and continue to be - but aware I didn’t like being depressed.
 
I guess there is some comfort in knowing there is a way of managing my mood swings.

And how do you manage them?

My management technique is different to the conventional one.

Drugs are the not answer for me, though I assume they may be helpful.

Others should definitely make up their own minds.

It’s an entirely selfish view which I don’t endorse for other people. 

One reason I do this is because I feel the drugs blunt my creative edge.

Luckily, I am surrounded by people who know the warning signs.

It would be terrible if I wasn’t. They tell me when to pull back.



How do you pull back?

Counseling. Talking. Time out is extraordinarily important.

If you don’t have public components in your life it can become a struggle.

I will go for a walk around a park – that’s why I started the Sunrise walks - to enforce a daily routine. Reading a book also helps.

Anything extracurricular – it’s all part of my treatment.

You have to have breaks in the chain.

Otherwise, it’s a domino effect throughout your life.

There are many ways of managing bipolar but you always need a support network of friends and family.


What other famous people do you know of with a type of bipolar?

Ted Turner – American TV mogul

Stephen Fry – UK actor

Jim Carrey – US actor

Andrew Johns – former Rugby League player

Michael Costa – NSW Transport minister
 

Is the high something you find addictive?


The high is something you want to hold onto.

It’s overwhelmingly euphoric. It allows your mind to think so clearly it’s hard to explain.

There are no complications or roadblocks. Clarity of thought like you could never imagine.

You have no doubt that what you are doing is the right thing – it’s an exciting state to be in.

Of course, on the flip side, the low is awful.

What is the most noticeable impact on your daily life?

I notice it more when I’m on the down, which is a little bit better these days, now I know it.

Main thing is, you notice you’re getting nothing done. Nothing. You are making a useless contribution.

And this has a negative impact on the people around you.


That’s clearly a serious problem for me in my position – I can’t be leading a show like Sunrise and not be on top of things.

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++ UPDATED 31 January 11.21am 

 (The Sunrise boss is in America as part of a US government initiative to promoting understanding and goodwill between our two countries. He seems to have been distracted by the bright lights in Nevada...)

Well, there's no mistaking this is Las Vegas.

As soon as I hopped off the plane, I was confronted by a wall of pokies. I could spin the wheel of fortune or open a suitcase for the strip's ultimate deal. Keep in mind, I hadn't even reached baggage collection!

Still, it's hard to condemn. Everyone knows the rules. Sin City was built on temptation. People flock from around the world to sample the insane.

But is there a limit?

As I left the terminal, I snapped this sign.

 

Wow - a real machine gun! And I wonder whether that rather busty blonde will hand it to me? Yep, this is the place where men are men - even the trigger happy ones. Or at least in their mind.

All of this before I even check into my hotel. Wish me luck.

 

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++ UPDATED 12 December 12.30pm

Well there was a time when TV Land would be about to enter its annual twilight zone -- that strange period over Christmas where we pretended the world stopped turning.  Oh - who needed a visit from Santa when yet another "Elvis Classic" was beckoning on the tellie!

 

Thankfully, the modern day view is that summer is the perfect time to experiment.  That means we all get to sample a range of new programming.  Sure - some may give Elvis a run for his money - but others will be real gems, which then find a home in the year-round schedule. 

 

But it gets better.  This year, we get an all-new Channel.  Seven HD is now on the air.  I must say I'm surprised it hasn't received more attention.  It's not everyday a brand new TV station is launched in Australia.  Make no mistake - that's what it is.  From right now, you can access 50 hours of exclusive programming each week on 7HD. 

 

I have an extra reason to rave.  My production team is busy creating a new night-time show for the Channel.  For a long time, I've thought it would be terrific to book-end the day.  Wake up with Sunrise - and go to bed with something from a similar genre.  So, that means you can expect a show with plenty of views and plenty of attitude. It won't be Sunrise and it won't be the Late News.  It will be a show with its own unique feel.

 

Watch this space and you'll be the first to learn more.

 

In the meantime - allow me to share my year's end resolution.  (I take the view that nobody keeps NEW year's resolutions, so it needed a concept tweak).  My doctor reckons I don't do enough exercise.  She's worried my nerves are starting to block.  I don't even know what that means - but I don't like it.   I also don't like exercise. Correction - my body doesn't like exercise. 

So in the fine tradition of television, I've decided to abuse my position.  I've instructed the entire production team at Sunrise and The Morning Show to join me on a daily walk.  Turns out that inflicting personal struggles on to others is a great motivator!  Um, in case anyone from Human Resources is reading this - I meant to say that it's doing wonders for team bonding.

 

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Each day at midday - we depart the building like a flock of pelicans in search of a smelly fisherman.  Needless to say - 30 minutes later, we're the smelly ones.  Note to Seven Management: it's time to install some showers at Brekky Central.

 

So, I intend to spend Christmas weighing up which is worse - a blocked nerve or an office full of smelly producers. 

 

However you spend your Christmas - I hope you enjoy it.  It really is a time to celebrate family - and there's no doubt that our family at Sunrise includes you.  We never think we're producing just another TV show.  We genuinely see it as a community - where nothing is sacred.  From smelly exercise routines to Kochie's choice of underwear, we like to share.  And we love it even more when you trust us enough to share back.

 

Thanks for your support in 2007 - and we look forward to sharing stories in 2008.  (Oh and long live Elvis.. just not so much at Christmas).