I have never been affected this way. I've only had two manic episodes...one just came out of the blue, and the other was caused by an anti-depressant my psych wanted me to try...it made me too happy! Now I'm on tegretol & seroquel, and I'm basically balanced besides the occasional mood swing.

Could it be possible that you're not balanced on the right medication? I've never heard of someone getting manic symptoms because they witnessed someone else having them. However, I haven't been around enough people with bipolar to make the call whether or not it's normal.

Maybe this is something to talk to your pdoc or therapist about? Either way, I hope you don't have to go through this often. It sounds like a pain in the butt!