I think it's very important to distinguish yourself from the mental disorder. I'm not proposing that you blame your actions and behaviors on the bipolar, but it's important to remind yourself that during times when you don't make the best decisions, it's not really you as a person saying something hurtful... it's the bipolar clouding your judgment and your decision making skills. It's good to take responsibility for your actions and do the best you can to make up with those people that you hurt or fix the situation you may have caused during the manic episode, but you shouldn't beat yourself up about it. Now, if you choose to stop meds when they were working for you previously, then you would be to blame. It's a very fine line.