A UK teacher has spoken up and told the press that his Bipolar disorder diagnosis was ‘a relief’, in a bid to lift the stigma surrounding the condition.

Mr John Duncan, Aberdeen, hopes that his story will inspire more people who are concerned or unsure about their symptoms to seek the relevant advice and support.

Mr Duncan first saw symptoms of the condition around eight years ago, and has spoken up about his experiences of diagnosis, misdiagnosis and uncertainty as part of Mental Health Awareness Week.

“I think when I was diagnosed it was a relief more than anything as I finally found out what was wrong and I wasn’t imagining it,” Mr Duncan told reporters.

“It affected me in different ways, I could be angry one day and then hyperactive the next. I can overthink things and some days things come out my mouth before I have thought about it.

“If I have said something it can cause anxiety and worry and I magnify it to the extreme, but in fact no one has even noticed.”

The Scottish teacher thanked his family and friends for their ongoing support.