Oliver Heldens Reveals Private Battle with Bipolar Disorder and Manic Episodes

Dutch DJ/producer Oliver Heldens recently opened up about his silent journey managing bipolar disorder and manic episodes.

From mainstage anthems to sinister techno under his alias HI-LO, Oliver Heldens has undoubtedly made quite a name for himself.  However, the road to get there has been far from easy, as Heldens recently revealed his struggles with bipolar disorder.  The revelation certainly comes as a shock, illuminating the challenges DJs faced behind the scenes despite their musical successes.

In a candid Instagram post, Oliver Heldens reminisced about a pivotal moment in his career at Ultra Miami in 2019.  Specifically, Heldens took the crowd on an unexpected journey with dark techno, a departure from the era’s usual mainstage fare. This marked a significant creative shift, crediting musical influences such as Enrico Sanguiliano and Charlotte de Witte for the birth of his HI-LO sound.

Amidst Oliver Heldens‘ professional triumphs, 2019 undoubtedly proved a challenging year as he experienced manic episodes that tested his resilience.  Importantly, Heldens acknowledged the role his condition played in fueling his creativity, describing hypomanic phases as periods of heightened inspiration and activity. Specifically, he credited his pre-Ultra hypomania for empowering him to deliver the groundbreaking set that ultimately spawned his HI-LO project.

Nonetheless, the following summer saw Heldens ultimately begin taking anti-psychotic medication following concerns from loved ones.  Despite the initial reluctance to medication, Heldens eventually found a mood stabilizer that offered relief without compromising his creativity.  Oliver Heldens has since maintained his stability, expressing gratitude for the support of all who have stood by him.

As Oliver Heldens prepares to return to Ultra Miami, he can proudly reflect on his resilience and perseverance he exhibited.  Furthermore, his openness about his struggles sets a commendable example for other artists juggling the highs and lows of industry life.  Particularly in the wake of the tragic deaths of artists such as Avicii and i_o, mental health visibility is as important as ever.

With his newfound stability, Oliver Heldens will unquestionably continue captivating audiences with his versatile and electrifying sound.  Moreover, Heldens lives proof that even amid personal challenges, music can provide a light at the end of the tunnel.  To take a look at Oliver Heldens’ upcoming tour schedule, head over to his website.

Ginger Ale

Having grown up just an earshot from Ultra Miami’s venue Bayfront Park, it was next to impossible for me not to fall in love with electronic music. My love for music was evidently strong enough for me to write my college essay on festival culture and continue attending Ultra for 10+ years now. I have always had a knack for writing and the power of words, which I continued cultivating through a Philosophy degree in college. Now, I am finishing up law school and hope to merge my passions by working in the music industry. I am an avid traveler and am certainly not afraid to hop on a plane for a music event. My next bucket list items to attend are Tomorrowland in Belgium and ADE in the Netherlands. Though the list could go on forever, some of my favorite artists include Franky Wah, Kevin de Vries, Eli Brown, and John Summit.

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