Quiet bipolar would definitely not apply to me. In fact, I'm pretty much the polar opposite to quiet, unless I'm purely depressed. Nor do I have ASD or flat affect. But I do want to share that my youngest nephew had ASD and bipolar disorder. He did often have flat affect and was extremely quiet. I believe that his mind was churning and racing during his mood elevations, but only when he'd literally explode would it be apparent. I will say that he did explode on a few occasions. Violently. However, I think that was very much provoked. My brother-in-law verbally abused my nephews and even my sister. Everyone has their limits. Perhaps if my brother-in-law was a kinder father, my nephew's rare explosions wouldn't have happened. He was a very gentle young man and child. He quietly fought most of his life. I tried, as I could, to get him to release some of his pain and stress, in a healthy way, but I regret I spent less time with him than I wished I had.

My nephew did give warnings about his severe strife, when he felt it was necessary. My sister took them seriously. However, at the end, he did go quiet, except for one more warning. Then he stopped the warnings, and it was too late.

I often think about if he only called me and opened up more during his last weeks. I had seen him about a month before. For the first time he invited me to lunch. He gave no indication of any strife. He asked me to take a walk with him to his favorite spot. I did. I had no clue that he was anything but his usual quiet self. I was so deaf. I was so blind. Was there a dangerous storm going on in his mind even then? I now assume so.

As I wrote above, people see and hear my feelings quite easily. I shout it all to the world. It seems far less dangerous than when there is a type of silence. Now, there are absolutely no more words from my dear nephew at all. None.