Speaking as someone with Bipolar I disorder with psychotic features, I am horrified at the number of times I read posts from people with bipolar disorder justifying bad behavior as a symptom of their illness. I've heard people justify cheating on their spouses, being rude to total strangers, mistreating their children, etc. all in the name of their bipolar disorder. If I am so manic that my behavior is that dangerously out of control, guess what, I get admitted. Sometimes, involuntarily. I have been sedated and restrained during severely delusional manic episodes. I've had psychotic depressions so deep that I was convinced I was receiving messages from the radio to harm myself. NEVER have I mistreated another human being during any of my severe swings. When I am doing well, I am fully functional. I am a research scientist. I raised a wonderful daughter. I have been remarkably successful given the severity of my illness. I'm so tired of the whining. My advice to everyone with bipolar disorder: TAKE YOUR MEDICATION, go to therapy, communicate fully with your psychiatrist, ask questions, and choose your treatment team carefully.