You are wrong on this one. Bi-polar is a major illness, and not difficult to diagnose at all. (in severe cases) It almost always turns out bad. If you ever spent any time with someone bi-polar you would not doubt the illness.
I have experience with bi-polar relatives and through my work. And you say they don’t do anything stupid like step in front of a bus etc., but they do, all the time. Suicide, is a very common outcome of this problem. They crash planes, jump in front of subways, buses or oncoming traffic. They jump off of buildings, they drink Drano, they breath exhaust from the tail pipes of cars. I have seen it all.
Worst part about it is that the treatments are not very good, and most do not like to take their meds. They make up excuses not to, and then they go on a binge. This man sounds textbook to me. Please do some research on this problem. It is no like so many other fabricated diseases. It is for real.
You are right on! Even after researching mental illness, dealing with it daily, as part of my job, is an eye opener. People don't want to be this way, but they have no control over this illness. Unless the meds work, they are completely dependent on others, which they don't normally have. These people need counseling, along with their meds. I work in a non profit organization, affiliated with a church. We provide counseling, psychiatric treatment, groups, meals, and a place for the mentally ill to congregate and/or just hang out during the day. No one is turned away for lack of funds. Nearly all cities have places like this, but, these people need someone to guide them to us.
Of the three most popular drugs for bipolar, Wal Mart has two for $4.00; the third (valporate?) is available online for around $35.00.
It is a horrible disease as you say, another close friend of mine's son committed suicide as a result. What is really sad is that you know there is no logical explanation for his action because he had a good job, engaged to be married to a wonderful gal and had moved back with his parents to help with his savings.....No pressures, no nothing. Unfortunately, mental illness is prevalent in the family as his sister suffers from a similar disorder.