Like the other posters said, bipolar is not an excuse for bad behavior. If I get in a rage and hit or verbally abuse my husband, I sure as hell apologize for it. If I just said oh, I was manic, deal with it, I'm sure we'd be divorced.

And also, I feel i someone is not doing verything in his or her power to address their condition then they ARE responsible for the episodes. I'm not saying everyone has to be on medication, but if you are not treating your condition through any means then you're not taking responsibility. I've done this. I've abused my medication, I've stopped taking it AMA, I've refused to use coping skills, I've done all that jazz. In those cases I feel I'm responsible for the episodes I induced. AGAIN I am NOT saying everyone needs meds, I'm saying that ignoring your condition is not a responsible way to handle it. To use your analogy, an epileptic would be responsible for seizures if he/she refused treatment.

Just my opinion, possibly an unpopular one.