Hi Rebound,
When you described your Bipolar and yourself it felt as you described me (even doing things as you describe with a friend of yours in Kentucky). Plus when I'm in mania I'm not able to hear anybody but myself
Well I could not change myself and it's too late now, I'm grandma already. Too late as I did destroyed most good things in my life during manias.
So, I'm thinking now what could I do if I'd be giving a second chance?
I'd learn to be satisfied with minimum. I'd appreciate any good or positive thing in my life. I'd make a goal to stay out of trouble as priority, so depressions would not be so painful. I'd make a list of things "What NOT to do" for mania time with things I would be able to control. I'd carry that list with me constantly.
I'd stay on meds and would check my condition with the therapist. I'd appreciate and cherish any favorable human contact as a gift.
I don't really know if I'd be able to do those things, but I did not do them and now it's too late. I'm alone with Bipolar as my companion because probably I wanted too much instead of learning to be happy or at least satisfy with little.
There was one therapist who tried to show me that it'd be a good way for me, but being in mania I rejected that advice of course.
I don't know if that could be helpful, but that is my thinking from being alone and depressed from all the troubles I put myself in
I wish you make the best from your life.