ions of "conquering the world". They may be "prone to overgenerous behaviors, such as taking and paying for unexpected trips with friends and acquaintances; spending huge amounts of money on credit cards and in general being a bit of a challenge for the slower-moving folk of the world" (FyrenIce). "In its extreme form, mania may manifest itself as psychoses, complete with dissociative behaviors and a crippling inability to distinguish the real world from the one induced by the illness" (FyrenIce). Individuals in a manic phase lose friends, money, jobs, and may also wind up in the hospital. Child abuse, excessive debt, and divorce are also common. The effects can be devastating on family and friends, as the afflicted often has no idea anything is wrong. They may also become physically aggressive, becoming a danger to themselves and to others. Hospitalization is often necessary to keep the patient in a stable environment until the intensity of the phase begins to dwindle. "Under no circumstances should one attempt to care for a person in an extreme state without the aid of a trained physician and hospitalization" (FyrenIce). The depression phase is most distinguished by a sad, anxious, or empty mood. During the depressive phase a person may experience lack of appetite, inability to sleep or excessive sleeping, suicidal thoughts, difficulty in decision-making, and extremely low self-esteem. They may also feel lethargic and weak and have a loss in interest of previously enjoyed activities. Some report feeling more creative during this stage. Nothing pierces the gloom; o
             ...