My son has been diagnosed with being bipolar, and is presently in jail for a repeat effence. It was only clinically diagnosed last year, and I think we all should of done more homework on the disorder, and not leave it all up to him. He is a great person, who is always helping others. But then comes the insomnia and the manic episodes which are not so nice. Is being bipolar having a chemical imbalance in your brain which at one time was treated with lithieum as the drug of choise? Why the change to risperdal, and is it safe? He was doing better with the risperdal, but then became scared when the commercial came out about it and discontinued taking it. Totally bad idea. My nephew 32, Father of 2 small children and beautiful wife shot himself last year in their home. this was after a year from hell as he spiraled out of control. He made threats that he was going to take everyone to heaven with him. Does a overwhelming situation in a persons life have any bearring as to the onset of the over the top manic episodes. Because this was a man who had been the salt of the earth type of guy. but he did refuse any medication in treating the disorder, which left him with alot of nights of insomnia. ??chemical imbalance??med??event??