Expert: Joyce A. Anthony - 6/22/2009

Question
Hello,

I believe someone very close to me is suffering from Bipolar Mania. We've been dating for 5 months, I've always noticed minor moodswings, but within these last couple of months they've drastically increased. Some examples are:

1. one minute he's overly hyper and than something so small will make him angry and he'll hit the table and curse and than not even 5 minutes later he's his hyper self again.
2. he's very playfull. wrestling wise... but he's too violent and i don't think he realizes how rough he's being.
3. I'll say something that makes him mad, he'll Charlie horse me in the arm with "an angry face" and than he's not mad anymore!!

there are many other examples. but, i chose to ask you if this really is "bipolar mania"? he's 18 and its starting to affect our relationship but if its starting to become a problem i don't want to put myself in danger. he denys that anything is wrong, but i really want him to see a doctor. he gets mad when i bring it up.
i don't know what to do!!!

thanks for your time.
sincerely, chloe

Answer
Chloe:

This is not bipolar behavior! You are experiencing the "typical" behavior of an abusive personality. He's testing you at the moment to see how far he can go. Please get out now before it gets worse.  Again, this is NOT bipolar behavior.

               Joyce A. Anthony