Hi John,

I read your article with great enthusiasm, and can relate to these 'bizare' episodes, to the point, where I have looked back on my behaviour, almost as though I were two different people.  When in a state of 'high manic behaviour' I will take huge risks, and have paid the consequences, I nwould advise anyone to stay away from alcohol or illegal drug abuse, as during these attacks, we often look for methods to prolong or highten the 'high' we are experiencing.  This is extremley dangerous, and have often discussed these issues with my Bother, who is also bipolar.  His behaviour during University, and afterwards, where mirrored to mine.  Having said this, the positives to come out of this, is creativity. He is a young, budding artist, I used to paint, but enjoy writing down my thoughts...so, there are negatives and some positives, it is a question of support, and how we use advice to make manic behaviour a positive.  This is extremley hard, and at 43, realise this illness has lost me so much in my past.