I saw the origin of my illness sitting across the table from me like I've never seen it before.
I have bipolar disorder, the particularly bad one, Bipolar 1. The last I heard, it was thought in the medical community that the illness had a hereditary, genetic component to it as well as a psychological component usually related to your upbringing, but which can occur later in life.
I had the genetic and psychological equivalent to the perfect storm. The crazy gene runs on my dad's side and I had a lot of psychological trauma growing up. The onset of a severe illness occurred in me when I was 20, which is about the age where most men will get sick if they are going to become severely mentally ill.
I knew my dad had had problems in his life, but I thought it was mostly depression that he had battled. Lately, there was a situation in my family that was causing him some serious depression. I needed someone to help me with a condo rental I own near him, and thought it would be a good idea to ask him for help to get him out of the house and get him doing something else to get his mind off of things. We're just talking letting contractors in and out and inspecting the place and making sure they are doing a good job. And it worked. His depression lifted, and soon he was a changed man- bright and happy and full of life.
Well, it worked a little too well. After 4 months of deep depression he is now manic. I had dinner with him last night and he was just wired. Of course he doesn't think anything is wrong and he says he's as happy as he's ever been, but, having suffered from mania, I know it when I see it. It's the first time I've ever seen it in him so clearly, but I haven't spent a whole lot of time with him in my life considering he's my father. My folks split when I was 8. I'm betting he's been going through cycles like this for a long time and I just haven't seen him on the upswing that much, and never like this.
I haven't talked to him about mental illness recently. We have discussed it in the past when I was diagnosed, and we were both in agreement that if there is a genetic component to mental illness it seems to run in his side of the family and he may have had a few issues. I've never discussed the idea that he may have bipolar disorder as well with him.
I'm not sure how to proceed beyond staying in close contact with him and monitoring his mood. I know from experience that trying to tell him he's sick right now will not work. He just feels so damn good. How could he be sick? The perils of bipolar disorder...
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It's great to see you tonight!
But I truly don't have any advice to give.
And I really wish I did!
Good luck.
I'm glad you stopped in my little thread here.
I hope all is well in your world this evening. How are you doing?
Things are pretty good here.
I'm in physical therapy for my left shoulder replacement, and they are turning me into a pretzel! I'm working hard to get my range of motion and my strength back, and it's coming, but glacially.
I'm also taking a poetry workshop, and it has me working on improving my poetry. I'm having a ball, exploring new techniques and listening to other people's work.
I hope you can sell your condo!
Best wishes to you and your Father that he gets the help he needs. 
Good to see you, Tobin no matter the circumstances.
