The thing is the brain works different when you are bi-polar. What the minds sees or remembers can be just as real feeling as an actual event. As far as not knowing something is wrong with himself, well that could be his normal. As far as he knows life is just that way, we all have our ups and downs. Honestly, who wants to think that there is something wrong with the way they feel or act. Being diagnosed bi-polar is a hard pill to swallow and it took me quite some time to come to grasps with it. I really wanted to believe I was misdiagnosed. It took a LOT of education and paying attention to myself before I could really see that this is something that is a part of me. It will take support and understanding that this is not something that is just fixed with a pill automatically. A lot of it is an uphill battle until things fall into place. Please educate yourself on what bi-polar really is and what to look for when dealing with someone bi-polar. A lot of times people on the outside will see the changes before we do and having someone to care and be understanding is one of the best things you can do for him.