but some song writer already swiped it from me! That is all right though, life is just full of disappointments, if you choose to look at things that way. I don't however. (Oh, I used to, but I gave it up for lent one year and it kinda stuck!) Now I try to look for the positive things, and have found that in every situation there is good, somewhere. (Maybe Life's Delusions is the right title after all!)

Why do I say all that? (Refer to above paragraph) Well, darndest thing happened today. See, I was just sitting there, fixing this wing back chair for someone, thinking, -Man, what is the next Hub going to be about?- At least that is what I thought to myself. (I hope I didn't say it out loud!)

I had no answer! (Nor heard one, so I am reasonably sure I didn't say it out loud.) None. Not one drip of inspirational juices whatsoever! Nothing. Nada. (As in, nadadamnthing.) Oh, I had a ton of thoughts, but no ideas.

When I got home, I hit Hubpages hoping one of my favorite Hubbers would inspire something! I was delighted to see I had a comment to moderate. In that comment, I found my inspiration. Well part of it anyway. The rest came from my beautiful, significant other, whom I bounced the idea off of. This Hub is in response to the comment left on What's Wrong With Being Bi-Polar? , by one of my newest fans. Thanks for the inspiration Eldritch.  I hope this helps in some small way.

Yes, yes I am. I, and a surprisingly high number of other individuals who shall remain nameless (cause I don't personally know them and cause someone complained about listing people's names without a note from their doctor or somethingorother) live everyday with Bi-Polar Disorder. Let me tell you, it's a real hoot, as you can imagine!

The thing about Bi-polar is that just when you think you have heard all there is to know about the disorder you find out new stuff, which is fine if you are researching information, but not so nifty if it is something that is happening to you, or someone you know! So, lets get on with this.

Can Bi-Polars control mood swings?

Hmmm. Well, to a certain extent, yes. But it takes a lot to do it. Though I wouldn't exactly say the right word is "control". I have sort of learned my triggers, and I have also learned to monitor myself quite often during the day. I constantly assess myself as the day goes on. Well, I suppose that makes little or no sense!

Let's try that again. I have learned to recognize situations which may alter my mood, one way or the other, and I have taught myself to avoid, or alter situations to try to prevent the swings. Does it work? Yah, sometimes, but with Bi-Polar it is a crap shoot sometimes. I say that because since alot of the mood swing thing is more chemical than anything else. You really cannot control the flow of all the little chemmies running around inside of you, no matter how diligent or self aware a person is. However, it is possible to control ones enviroment and things which stimulate some of the things that may cause mood swings. Does that make sense?

For instance, (didn't think I would let you get off without an example, did you?) if I happen to see a situation coming up which has, in the past, caused me to, say, become depressed, I will try to either avoid the situation or approach it in a way that I can successfully deal with it without going through all the joy of a full blown Bi-Polar moment. (And believe me, I have an entire life time of Bi-Polar moments to refer to!) It takes practice, but it does work, though unfortunately it is something one has to teach themselves. I have taught, (or I should say, explained) this to others I know who are in the same boat as I am, and they too are able to avoid some of the worst of their own mood swings. It dosen't always work, but anything is worth the effort if there is a chance of avoiding at least one out of three mood swings someone may encounter during the day. (Of course, there are those who may go through many more than that, and imagine their delight!)

So, I suppose, for the most part, unless a Bi-Polar has learned more about their illness on their own, or have an exceptionally skilled and learned  psycologist who can explain it to them, the answer is no, they can't control mood swings.  (Dosen't that just suck?)  

 I have to tell you this up front.  The reason I took so long to put this Hub together is because I wanted to answer your questions intelligently and as completely as possible.  More importantly, honestly and from my own experience.  (So consider yourself warned!)

Can a Bi-Polar control their behavior?

Yah well, it all depends.  (How's that for an answer?  Pretty non-committal, huh?  Believe me, it gets worse!)

First of all, every one is in control, no, wait a minute, let me re-phrase this whole sentence.  Every one can control their behavior, whether Bi-Polar or not.  We control ourselves each and every day.  We have to control all those urges and instincts and behavior as we go about our daily lives.  Society dictates what is acceptable behavior and what not.  Robbing someone of all their money is not socially acceptable.  (Ask Bernie Maddoff.)  So, for the most part, folks try to avoid this behavior. 

Does that mean the one's who go against the social norm are Bi-Polar?  Nope!  (Though, in all fairness, some are.)  The rest are just crazy as hell!  Naw, just kidding.  People go against the norm for several different reasons.  For instance, let's talk about, oh... Frustration.

We all know what frustration is like.  We have all been frustrated with a situation, a person, even an object at one time or another.  I believe worse of all is being frustrated with yourself, and I have been there more than once.  I know there are others who would also admit to the same if they care to be true to themselves.  That burning in the pit of the stomach.  The mix of anger, of outrage, of embarrassment, of fear, and the desperate urge to grab a feather pillow and rip it to shreds with your teeth and hands though you know it will accomplish nothing but just sorta would feel real good right about now!... Um, never mind.

Anyway, being frustrated with yourself, agreeably, (I hope you'll agree!  Otherwise this paragraph is a bust!) is not something anyone cares to deal with.  This is where the Bi-Polar thing comes in.  I mentioned in one of my earlier Hubs on the subject, something an actress once said on a talk show.  I'll paraphrase.  Bi-Polars feel things, times 100.  Sounds extreme, but true! 

Imagine that feeling.  Being frustrated with yourself because despite your outward appearance, something that is beyond your control is wrong with you, and you don't know how to explain what you really feel inside, and that there is no where to hide from your mind.  Oh, that sentence could go on and on.  Things like paranoia add a whole new slant to the frustration, because you think everyone knows what a putz you are!  Stuff like that.

Folks under stress act in different ways.  Things like frustration are stressful.  Some exercise to burn off the frustrations of daily life.  Others have different ways of dealing with stress, or frustration, or whatever matter they are facing.  Unfortunately, some just kind of go,...*POP*!!!

Yup, they lose it!  Many don't remember anything.  Some remember brief moments.  Some remember everything, but felt as though they watched themselves from outside their own body!  At any rate, they lost all control of themselves.  That is pretty much what happens in a complete blow out of the gasket material in your brain.  Manic can have the same effect.

However the things you describe, such as doors slammed, and name calling, and the verbal abusiveness aimed at a family member sound more like an act of anger.  And, anger is not something to play with.  Anger is dangerous, because it can fuel a more violent outlet than throwing stuff, slamming stuff, and saying unkind words that probably hurt worse than a punch to the belly.

If there is to be any confronting to go on, I would highly suggest that it be done in a situation that is safe, in safe surroundings with trained and competent professionals available for guidance.  This is not something you want to handle yourself.  You have absolutely no idea what an individual who is Bi-Polar can be capable of if they are pushed, cornered, threatened, or confronted with a truth they are trying to hide from.

I think I might have just answered all of your questions in just the above paragraphs.  I hope I have anyway, but, you know where you can reach me!  Right here on good ol' Hub pages!

Keep your chin up, and keep learning of the bug that may be in you.  I have no doubt you will be fine, because you ask great questions!  Peace, light and love, and don't forget,

Happy Bi-Polaring!