hi
I personally can relate to that issue with the voices and black shadows and paranoia. I spent 3 weeks backed into a corner, tormented by horiffic whispering voices telling me horrific things to do and to do to myself and that I was going to either kill myself or they would kill me in my sleep. It was the most frightening experience I have ever known. I did not sleep, I did not eat, I never left my house and left the bedroom only a few times. Instead of going through with the suicide or going to a hospital, I called my Pdocs emergency line and he immediately told me to stop taking the current anti-psychotic i was taking and to see him the next day. He put me on something newer and better that took the voices away for the most part and gave me the ability to live again. I am still traumatized by the whole episode and I know now that it had everything to do with my meds ( coupled with the lack of sleep). He put me on Risperdal which also put me to sleep at night. I have never been more thankful. It killed 2 birds with one pill. I hope that if you are not on meds for this that you seek out something for this manic related episode and/Or get on some other type of anti psychotic. Different meds work differently for different people. I hope you find solstice in this. Just keep reminding yourself that these apparitions and voices are not real. You have to do it every day. Sometimes prayer can help you too. Just dont sink down into the "pit". Get some rest and dont forget to call upon any support you have.

take care,
out to lunch