Thank you, Allen. You are correct in saying that people suffer from varying degrees of the illness, and if you have a mild disorder, you are one of the lucky ones. Bi-polar disorder can be treated successfully. But in many people it's quite serious and does cause very ugly behavior. I had no intention of offending any here who does suffer from it.....at the same time, I have had a lot of experience with bi-polar individuals. As I said, my ex-husband suffered from it and was non-compliant with his medication. In his outbursts of rage, I was choked, beaten, had a knife to my throat, a gun to my head, and was lucky to escape with my life. On an upward cycle, he was a charming man. My son is with a bi-polar girlfriend. Tomorrow morning he is driving from San Diego to Las Vegas to care for my 21 year old son who suffered a head injury a couple of weeks ago. Tonight she flew into a rage when he informed her he had to go, and called him every name she could think of, and began throwing things at him. In a couple of days she will be fine again. Same type of behavior from my brothers first wife, and my cousins ex-girlfriend.Allen @ Mon Aug 21, 2006 5:58 pm wrote:I would like to point out this is not "typical" bi-polar behavior. Yes people suffering from bi-polar can possess these traits and characteristics. But to say that it's "typical" behavior implies that all of us do. There are verying degrees of the illness. I certainly am not violent, I don't attack people, and I've certainly never wanted to murder anyone. I'm being painted as an ugly person without anyone even realizing it, so I thought I'd take a minute to point that out.SallyG @ Mon Aug 21, 2006 12:44 pm wrote: I doubt Nance saw Lizzie as a friend....I think she was just using her and when she didn't need her anymore, she didn't bother with her. What is interesting is that Lizzie could actually appear charming and totally normal to outsiders. That is typical bi-polar behavior. The closer you get to them, and the longer you are with them, their mood swings and outbursts begin to focus on you. Nance could have begun to experience Lizzies "bad side" and decided it was time to part company.
So perhaps I should reword the phrase...it is typical behavior for many bi-polar individuals, but most definitely not for all.