e 256). When this happens, people often need to be hospitalized for their own safety. If a person with bipolar disorder experiences a severe manic episode, he or she may be abusive to children, spouses, or engage in other violent behaviors. There may also be problems with attendance and performance at school or work, as well as significant difficulties in personal relationships.
             In Patty's book, A Brilliant Madness, she cites several examples of her disorder. For instance, Patty describes one of her irritable moods this way, "I picked fights with [Harry]; then I would fly into the bathroom and swallow half a bottle of whatever pills I had – Valium, Librium or Librax." (Duke-Hochman, 1992, page 11). There were many times Patty would take a bottle of pills – sometimes trying to commit suicide and other times just for show. On page 132 of her book, Patty describes another example of her erratic behavior at her home one evening. "I
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