Zack McDermott

Lawyer · Author

United States

Bipolar I disorderSelf-disclosed [1]

Zack McDermott is a former New York City public defender and the author of Gorilla and the Bird: A Memoir of Madness and a Mother’s Love, a 2017 memoir about his experience with bipolar disorder and his relationship with his mother. [2]

Last updated September 15, 2026

Career and work

McDermott graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law in 2008 and went on to work as a public defender in New York City. He later left legal practice to focus on writing full time. [2]

In 2017, he published Gorilla and the Bird: A Memoir of Madness and a Mother’s Love. The book recounts his experiences with psychosis and bipolar disorder and was optioned for television adaptation. [2]

What has been publicly discussed

“Bipolar disorder is the best thing that ever happened to me.”
— Zack McDermott [4]

The following sources contain information that supports the claims made in this profile.

This American Life“Seeing Yourself in the Wild”
A detailed first-person account of McDermott’s manic and psychotic episodes, Bipolar I disorder diagnosis, hospitalization at Bellevue, subsequent episodes, medication, sleep, and eventual stability.
University of Virginia School of Law“Psychosis Fuels First Book by Zack McDermott ’08”
Covers McDermott’s legal education, work as a New York public defender, transition to writing, bipolar disorder experience, and publication of Gorilla and the Bird.
Los Angeles Review of Books“‘It’s the Disease, Not the Individual’: A Talk with Zack McDermott”
An interview with McDermott about bipolar disorder, hospitalizations, medication, leaving legal practice, and his views on mental illness and the criminal justice system.
International Bipolar Foundation“Zack McDermott: Bipolar Disorder Is The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me”
Includes McDermott’s comments about sharing his experience, hearing from other people affected by mental illness, self-acceptance, and hope.

Recommended books and other resources about Zack McDermott and lived experience.

Stories Behind the Story“Zack McDermott”
A podcast interview about Gorilla and the Bird, stigma surrounding mental illness, recovery after psychosis, and maintaining mental health.
Salon“After a psychotic break, what’s the new normal?”
A video interview in which McDermott discusses returning to work after hospitalization, embarrassment, stigma, and how he came to think differently about his illness.
Wichita Public Library“Checked Out: Zack McDermott”
A conversation about Gorilla and the Bird, why McDermott chose to tell his story, living with Bipolar I disorder, and later advocacy work.

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