Career and work
Prior studied physics at Imperial College London before later training in medicine, graduating from Queen Mary University of London in 2017. He went on to train in psychiatry and has worked as an NHS psychiatrist in London, including with Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust. [4][5][2][3]
He also co-founded Minderful, a mental-fitness and workplace-wellbeing company. Prior has combined clinical psychiatry with work in mental-health education, innovation and public speaking. [4][5][3]
What has been publicly discussed
- Prior has publicly identified himself as having bipolar II disorder. He has said that he has lived with bipolar disorder for more than a decade. [7][1][2]
- He later began speaking openly about the diagnosis as both a psychiatrist and a patient, including through NHS articles, podcasts and public talks. [10][2]
- Prior has described experiencing seven episodes of depression and three episodes of hypomania over more than a decade. He has spoken about the “nothingness and desperation” of severe depression and the destructive effects hypomania could have on his relationships. [2]
- Prior has described bipolar disorder as having pushed him “to the edge” and being highly destructive, while also saying that the experience has given him perspective and a rare view of mental health from several different positions in his life. [7]
- Prior has described managing bipolar II disorder with medication, therapy, self-reflection, exercise and attention to routine. In 2026, he listed lithium, quetiapine and venlafaxine as part of his medication regimen, alongside therapy, journalling and mood tracking. [8]
- He has emphasized that managing the condition has involved trial and error to find a routine that works for him personally rather than relying on a single intervention. [8]
- Prior has described recovery as requiring acceptance that bipolar disorder would need active, long-term management. In 2020, he wrote that after years of recurrent episodes and setbacks, he had remained mentally well for two years—the longest period of stability he had experienced since age 21. [2]
- More recently, Prior has said that he has had “a good few years of stability” and now regards bipolar disorder as part of who he is rather than something separate from his life. [9]
- Prior has used his experience as both a psychiatrist and a person with bipolar disorder to campaign against stigma and promote greater use of lived experience in mental-health care. He has served on Bipolar UK’s Clinical Advisory Panel and co-chaired a mental-health staff network at Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust. [6]
- He has also spoken publicly about his diagnosis within the NHS, saying that although disclosure in front of colleagues felt uncomfortable, it prompted other healthcare workers to contact him and share their own experiences. Prior has argued that greater openness can help people feel less isolated and can improve connections between clinicians and patients. [10][11]
“I believe that my disclosure / openness helped other people in the NHS feel less alone.”
— Nicholas Prior [10]
Sources and other resourcesExpand to view the sources used in this profile and resources to learn more.
Sources used for this profile
The following sources contain information that supports the claims made on this page.
My Possible Self“Breaking Down Bipolar Disorder with Dr Nicholas Prior” Identifies Prior as an NHS psychiatrist living with bipolar II disorder.
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust“Living with Bipolar: Doctor and patient” Prior’s first-person account covering depression, hypomania, long-term management and periods of stability.
Queen Mary University of London“Queen Mary alumnus launches new mental health app” Confirms Prior’s medical education and role in co-founding Minderful.
View all 11 sources
Doctors in Distress — Nicholas Prior Provides professional background on Prior’s work as an NHS psychiatrist.
Northamptonshire Chamber of CommerceNicholas Prior / Minderful Provides additional professional background, including his physics degree and mental-health work.
Nicholas Prior — LinkedIn profile Documents his work with Bipolar UK’s Clinical Advisory Panel and CNWL’s Mental Health Staff Network.
Nicholas Prior — first-person post on bipolar II disorder Prior identifies bipolar II disorder and discusses the destructive effects and perspective it has given him.
Nicholas Prior — first-person post on treatment and routine Covers lithium, quetiapine, venlafaxine, therapy, journalling, mood tracking and exercise.
Nicholas Prior — first-person reflection on stability Prior discusses having had “a good few years of stability” and how he now views bipolar disorder.
Nicholas Prior — first-person post on disclosure within the NHS Covers his public disclosure and its effect on colleagues who subsequently shared their own experiences.
Nicholas Prior — “Stamp Out Stigma” Prior discusses lived experience, disclosure and the relationship between clinicians and patients.
Learn more
Recommended books and other resources about Nicholas Prior and their experiences.