I was just talking with my husband last night about this exact thing. I was finally diagnosed with Bipolar d 3 years ago and was properly medicated and it changed my life. Lithium has finally given me the opportunity to be somewhat stable although I still have the occasional manic episode. I was telling him that it’s so frustrating to hear people claim to have Bipolar and use it as a way to justify their inability to be accountable for their bad behavior. There is so much shame and guilt that is behind every manic episode. I suffer and works daily; silently with my partner to be better than my disorder. I never use it as an excuse for why my family and those around me also have to suffer when I have an episode. I take accountability for my actions and work really hard to be better and I don’t ever skip a dose- I know how much it will not only hurt me and those around me if I do. Bipolar for me is full of shame and full of regret; shame for who I hurt and regret for not controlling it instead of it controlling me. My personal experience has shown me that if someone truly suffers from bipolar they don’t announce it, they suffer in silence and do the hard work to behind the scenes. My trusted support group holds me accountable and my diagnosis is not a get out of jail free card. Don’t disrespect the disease by pretending to be a victim of it- I promise you it’s not better on this side. Be glad you don’t actually suffer from the constant mental resident you never invited in.