Rely on the feelings in your heart, in my view. You know your friend best and whether
or not information is being shared out of love or out of desperation. If out of love, put
your best foot forward; if out of desperation, put both best feet forward!

The person who wants to talk to you is seeking your help as a friend. Be a good friend; you won't regret it.

Bipolar people are not crazy; they may have episodes of depression and uncalled for elation, but
unless they're one specific type of bipolar, they don't usually go insane in their episodes. If he
mentions the word "crazy", help him understand that bipolar people remain stable most of the time and have episodes of mood disorders--their intelligence is not part of the illness; their shifts in moods are the illness. The illness is not a static one; it is a dynamic one and things change
for each patient, probably in a different way--sometimes very healing, sometimes, depressive
if facts in life are too stressful. Reducing stress is very important.

Just be calm and share what you know about the illness if he asks. If you sense that he
needs help, you might discuss the help that is available for bipolar illness, meds. psychotherapy,
psychiatric counseling, etc. Many, many things are out there to help people who have a
mood disorder.