Considering the descriptions of mental illnesses in our textbook, the lectures and various media about the illnesses shown in the HBO movie “Back from Madness – The Struggle for Sanity”, I was still surprised at how the illnesses actually influence people (HBO, 1990). When reading textbooks, various media and research papers it is extremely difficult to fully understand the severity of a mental illness. These sources are only descriptions of the disease and do not provide a personal account of what is happening to the patient. Taking into account the real effects of mental illness on the patient, his family and friends. I was surprised watching the documentary that a person with bipolar I (manic-depressive) disorder behaved the way Todd did. I am aware that bipolar I disorder is known as someone having a manic episode that results in a period of bizarre, life-interrupting elevated mood and behavior. The person will most likely experience episodes of depression. The behavior I saw in Todd in the movie was completely different from what I imagined for people who have Bipol...