Last week we were living in the North Pole for the entire week so I figured at any minute we would be heading south. My daughter was actually “giddy” last week. I can’t think of a better word to describe her near euphoria. She was laughing and her mouth was running during all of her waking hours.

Having lived with her for nearly two years now, I knew this long lasting excitement was an ominous indicator of a fall. Yesterday the south came crashing in on us. My daughter was asked to leave work after only an hour on the clock for insubordination.

Later, her ex-best girl friend called begging me to tell my daughter to quit having people go to her boy friend’s employment to threaten to kick his “XXX.” She got into a huge fight with her mother and she decided that she needed to change therapist. She picked up her paycheck from work and then blew all of it at the bowling alley which is bad because she is suppose to be saving $100 to get tires on her car so she can begin driving it. Somehow, by the grace of God, I’ve remained in her good graces, though this could be temporary. I’ve certainly had my share of her wrath directed towards me in the past.

Today, her employer asked her to resign or be fired and she just doesn’t know why. In her mind she was doing her best to be helpful, the employer on the other hand viewed her actions as insubordination.

Information on bipolar disorder from government publication.

About 5.7 million American adults or about 2.6 percent of the population age 18 and older in any given year,1 have bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder typically develops in late adolescence or early adulthood… Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide…Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings—from overly "high" and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between. Severe changes in energy and behavior go along with these changes in mood. The periods of highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression.
Signs and symptoms of mania (or a manic episode) include:
• Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
• Excessively "high," overly good, euphoric mood
• Extreme irritability
• Racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another
• Distractibility, can't concentrate well
• Little sleep needed
• Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers
• Poor judgment
• Spending sprees
• A lasting period of behavior that is different from usual
• Increased sexual drive
• Abuse of drugs,
• Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior
• Denial that anything is wrong
A manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with three or more of the other symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for 1 week or longer. If the mood is irritable, four additional symptoms must be present.

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