I've only had one manic episode in my life because I have BP 2 and this particular episode was steroid-induced (I was on a high dose of steroids due to an allergic reaction to Lamictal... I got the rash!!).

My memory of this time is pretty murky, so here's what I was thinking if I didn't say it all out loud at the time: I accused coworkers of shoplifting and conspiring to shoplift and blame me. I blamed my dad for my mental illness. I told my sister that I had this whole theory about my dad and how he abused us and caused my mental illness (he had a bad temper, but he was not abusive). I told my husband that I wasn't crazy, but I was called to go into the ministry. I remember telling him this as I was doing aerobic movements because I couldn't sit still... LOL!!! I called one of my best friends to apologize to her about judging her. She said "You have never judged me. This is not sounding right. Are you MANIC??" to which I responded "Yes. Yes I am. I'm going to the hospital now." LOL.

The first night in the hospital, I thought the night nurse was going to rape me because he wanted to see my rash (mostly on my thighs). I remember running down the hall away from him and refusing medication at first. I finally gave in to meds, and I was hospitalized for 3 days and they straightened me out. What a strange trip (mania)!!