If a moderator finds this topic to be too controversial or triggering, or if responses become unhealthy for the forum, I understand if it needs to be locked or even deleted. However, I thought this might be worth discussing, especially given the tendency for people with bipolar disorder to have hypersexuality, or even just a tendency to be more flirtatious or generally aggressive than usual when hypomanic/manic.

This morning, I was in Burger King splurging on a high calorie breakfast sandwich, and on a TV was a show called "Wendy". The topic was Morgan Freeman and the recent inappropriate behavior/misconduct accusations against him. I listened to the accusations, which after stated received shocked "Ooooos!" from the Wendy audience. I also learned that his contract with Visa for commercials was ended because of the accusations. I scratched my head and thought that there seemed a clear difference between his (what I call) inappropriate "dirty old man" behavior, and some of the very serious sexual misconduct/intimidation, and rape charges of other famous men, like Kevin Spacey, Harvey Weinstein, and Bill Cosby. These latter three men committed crimes, and crimes must be dealt with as such. But I didn't see Morgan Freeman's clearly inappropriate behavior as criminal. I got to thinking about where the limit should be between destroying a person's career and reputation fully or just giving them a major talking to or figurative (or literal) slap on the face and/or therapy. But career destruction?Absolute annihilation/tarring and feathering?

I am pretty sure the above-mentioned men do not have mental illnesses, but of course I don't know that for sure, or what inspired their behavior. I do know that many people with bipolar disorder say and do inappropriate things of all kinds sometimes when ill, especially when hypomanic or manic. Though I have never physically or sexually harmed anyone, I've said sexually crude things to men a few times in my life when manic. Of course I don't do that when stable. I know better, but I've got to wonder if I was famous (or even not), and particularly a man (women don't get accused as often as men), if people might have stepped forward since the start of the Me Too movement. What would the ramifications have been for me?

My mixed manic tendencies have historically shown themselves more in the form of extreme anger. A day before my first psychiatric hospitalization I was called to Human Resources. My interim boss and the HR Director told me that 6 people approached them about my behavior. In response, they threatened to fire me if my extreme behavior didn't improve. It was my last chance. I had been reprimanded in the past for behavioral issues. The behavior was awful, though not criminal. I was lucky to have had yet another chance. As mentioned, I ended up in the psych hospital the next day.

Actually, I resigned that day in fury, but after being hospitalized, my husband called them and told them to ignore my resignation. It was 6 months later when I returned to work. They held my job while I was in the Intensive Outpatient Program. That's not entirely usual. Upon return, people were wary of me, but I wasn't completely destroyed and people started to forgive me, at least a bit. Perhaps their knowing I had a mental illness helped "save me" to a degree. Or perhaps they realized I learned my lesson. I did. A year prior to my first hospitalization I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, but ignored it and quit the psychiatrist. On that day of final warning, I told the HR Director that I had "manic depression". That was the first time I uttered that. His response? "That doesn't matter!"

The HR Director's response pissed me off for a while, but I've learned that he was RIGHT. I had a diagnosis. It was my obligation to seek and accept treatment for my illness. Since I hadn't, I was accountable for my behavior. When I finally accepted treatment, I was shown more understanding and tolerance. You often get some points for effort. Plus, I never yelled at or intimidated anyone at work again after my return(s).

Prior to my first hospitalization, my husband was an enabler of sorts. He knew I was ill. He knew I drank too much, but accepted it and insufficiently spoke out about it. That didn't do me any good, honestly. I needed to hit a type of bottom to get help, and I did. This sounds weird, but I'm thankful that I did before I caused too much damage to myself, and especially to others. I will have new chances in the future. I, like many people with bipolar disorder, will likely need/want to start afresh where people don't know my history. I guess that will be difficult for someone like Morgan Freeman, who is very well known. Will people forgive him if he "repents", in a sense, and stops that "dirty old man" behavior from this point on?

I'm assuming that Kevin Spacey's, Weinstein's, and Cosby's careers are definitely over. They may likely never be heard from again since they might be in prison for a while, or just plain fear or repulse people too much. I can definitely understand that. However, what about people whose behavior is terrible, but not criminal? Or what about criminals who serve their time and seem reformed? I'm not religious, but I do forgive and try not to hold grudges, especially over the past 13-15 years, when I've needed forgiveness.