Dear Aminem, I am well versed regarding this condition, unfortunately...as I have a sister & a cousin who suffers from it. Severve mood swings, each lasting a several day period...when "up", they don't sleep, have what they consider to be incrediably great ideas, most truly are creative & it is expressed during this time period. However they make very poor decisions, they are often sexually promiscuous, do not handle money well, decide to paint every room in the house one night, & things such as that. When "down", they might write the President an angry letter, shut theirselves off the world, sleep, sleep, sleep, & eat as opposed to going without food when up. They crash as if they've been doing meth. only they're not hungry like meth heads when they come down. And they can be violent, even dangerous, often possessing horrific tempers in either state. They MUST be medicated in order to live a productive, happy, & safe life. And usually they escapades has caused some trauma in their's & or other's lives which may require counseling. There is hope with medication & counseling but a person with bi-polar MUST also know they do have it just as a person with diabetes needs to know, they need to know they do have limitations. Even on meds. they often cannot take stress & certainly can't handle it while not on meds. Learn all you can, pray for your friend, speak to his or her family for help getting him or her to a dr. I wouldn't wish this on anyone, I have post polio syndrome, diabetes, & some other serious health issues, I wiould not trade mine for bi-polar for anything! I read where you said you have been reading up on this subject & that you still don't know. Honey if you spend enough time with this person, you will know, there's no way to miss it if you see it enough. Good blessing to you & your friend, I am praying for both of you, Trishahearon
