When it comes to mental health, honesty and humour rarely share the same page. But in Bipolar & I: Dancing with Darkness, Flirting with Fabulous, Wirral author and mental health advocate Kate A. McCann manages to weave both into a refreshingly candid and uplifting book about living with Bipolar Type 2 disorder.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE BOOK OR TO BOOK IN A FREE TALK CONTACT KATE ON kate@kateamccann.com
Part memoir, part survival guide, Kate’s book is a brutally honest yet ultimately hopeful exploration of life with a condition that affects around one million people in the UK. Through her sharp wit and raw storytelling, she shines a light on the realities of bipolar disorder — not just the darkness of depression or the chaos of hypomania, but the moments of resilience, creativity and sparkle that can coexist with them.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE BOOK OR TO BOOK IN A FREE TALK CONTACT KATE ON kate@kateamccann.com
A Journey from Diagnosis to Discovery
In her opening chapter, Journey to the Dreaded Diagnosis: Bipolar Wasn’t on My Vision Board, Kate recalls the moment a doctor gave her chaos a name. What follows is a series of deeply personal yet universally relatable reflections on identity, self-worth, and survival.
She personifies her illness as an unruly “mood-swinging sidekick,” taking readers through the highs and lows in vivid, sometimes hilarious detail. From The States of Kate trilogy, which explores the depths of depression and the dizzying peaks of hypomania, to Pill Pop Princess: Life on Lithium, Kate balances brutal honesty with a disarming sense of humour.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE BOOK OR TO BOOK IN A FREE TALK CONTACT KATE ON kate@kateamccann.com
Finding Light in the Mess
While Bipolar & I doesn’t shy away from the harder topics — self-harm, alcohol misuse, burnout and anxiety — Kate’s tone is never one of defeat. Instead, she reframes survival as an act of everyday heroism. In chapters like Boss Bitch Energy (Even in PJs) and The Magic of Self-Care: Be Your Own Hero (Without a Cape or a Clue), she reminds readers that strength can look like getting out of bed, showing up for yourself or simply taking a nap without guilt.
Her writing style is fun, lighthearted and conversational, often poking fun at herself while offering practical wisdom. Every chapter is laced with empathy and relatability – whether you’re living with bipolar, supporting someone who is, or just trying to navigate the rollercoaster of being human.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE BOOK OR TO BOOK IN A FREE TALK CONTACT KATE ON kate@kateamccann.com
Creativity as a Lifeline
Kate also celebrates the creative spark that often accompanies bipolar disorder. In Little Old Creative Me, she reflects on how writing became her salvation and how creativity offers both expression and escape. “Many with bipolar are blessed with creative traits,” she notes, highlighting how art, words and humour can become tools for healing.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE BOOK OR TO BOOK IN A FREE TALK CONTACT KATE ON kate@kateamccann.com
Breaking Stigma Through Storytelling
According to Bipolar UK, the condition affects roughly 1 in 50 people in the UK, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood mental illnesses. Kate’s book helps to break that stigma – not through clinical explanations, but through storytelling that is heartfelt, funny and unfiltered.
Her memoir serves as both education and empathy. It reminds readers that mental illness doesn’t discriminate – as she puts it, “Same shit, different stain.” Whether you’re a CEO, a parent or an artist, bipolar can impact anyone, anywhere.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE BOOK OR TO BOOK IN A FREE TALK CONTACT KATE ON kate@kateamccann.com
A Voice of Hope and Humour
In the final chapters, particularly Help & Hope: A Hug in Chapter Form, Kate offers compassion and solidarity to those who feel broken or “too much.” She writes not as a distant expert, but as a friend who’s been through the fire and found her way back — sometimes crawling, sometimes dancing. Her message is simple but powerful: even in the darkest moments, there’s always room for light, laughter and fabulousness.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE BOOK OR TO BOOK IN A FREE TALK CONTACT KATE ON kate@kateamccann.com
Beyond the Book: Talking About Bipolar
Following the book’s successful launch at Liverpool Book Festival, Kate is now offering free talks to businesses, organisations and charities to raise awareness about bipolar disorder and workplace mental health. Through open dialogue, she hopes to help others understand the condition, reduce stigma and inspire compassion in professional and personal spaces alike.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE BOOK OR TO BOOK IN A FREE TALK CONTACT KATE ON kate@kateamccann.com
A Must-Read for Everyone
Bipolar & I: Dancing with Darkness, Flirting with Fabulous isn’t just for those with bipolar disorder. It’s for anyone who has ever felt anxious, exhausted, imperfect, or overwhelmed. Kate’s ability to find humour in hardship makes this book a profound, relatable and genuinely enjoyable read. Above all, it’s a celebration of survival, self-acceptance, and the messy magic of being human.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE BOOK OR TO BOOK IN A FREE TALK CONTACT KATE ON kate@kateamccann.com
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