Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that involves both extreme highs and lows, which gives it the name bi-polar. The highs are called the ‘manic episode,’ while the lows are called the ‘depressive episode.’ Having more energy or needing less sleep don't indicate a manic episode. Instead, this illness is identified by experiencing a combination of symptoms.

The two extremes of bipolar: mania and depression

Mania or a manic episode typically lasts for at least one week. During this time, the person experiences several of the following changes in behavior:

• the person needs a lot less sleep, yet feels energetic. It's common for persons with bipolar to stay up very late, but then be ready to go at the first sign of dawn.

• their thoughts become significantly inflated. For example, they begin to say things like, "They are going to make a movie about me" or "I know they're out to get me."

• their speech becomes faster

• the person's thoughts are racing and they quickly change ideas or topics when talking

• they seem erratic and unpredictable (e.g., restless, working on several projects at once---perhaps well into the night)

• they engage in "risky" behavior (e.g. spending sprees or sexual activity

A major depressive episode usually lasts at least least two weeks. During this time, they experience at least five five of the following changes in behavior:

• intense sadness or despair

• loss of interest in doing things they once enjoyed

• fatigue

• increased sleep (e.g. extremely difficult to get out of bed) or

• trouble actually getting to sleep despite being tired

• experience weight loss of gain

• Frequent thoughts of death or suicide
  

As you can probably tell, bipolar is a serious issue that should be addressed with mental health professionals because it can have serious consequences if left untreated. For example, someone who is manic may go for days without sleeping and engage in a spending spree, accruing a large debt. If they move into a depressive episode, they may go from being unusually energetic to fatigued and needing excessive sleep. At these low points, people can determine their life is no longer worth living. If you or someone you know evidences these symptoms, check with a qualified medical doctor.

Are there persons in the Bible who suffer from bipolar?

There is at least one person in the Bible who demonstrates symptoms of bi-polar disorder—King Saul. Israel's first king is one of Scriptures more complicated figures. While it might be a stretch to diagnose him, very few people doubt that he goes from one extreme to the next.

These extremes are typified in episodes the Bible describes as being "tormented" by evil spirits. This was a common occurrence, mentioned at least four times in 1 Samuel. Interestingly enough, the only thing that would calm him was David's music. We read about an "evil spirit" that "tormented "(בָּעַת, terrified, came upon him suddenly). Strangely enough, when this happened, the only thing that helped was was music, and so "David would take up his lyre and play.." (1 Sam.16:23).

When David played music, the text uses three verbs to describe what happened:

• Then relief would come (רָרַח) to Saul...

• he would feel better (טוֺב), and

• he evil spirit would leave him" (סוּר) (v.23).

Following along with Saul's story in 1 Samuel, he demonstrates both manic and depressive symptoms. Let's first take a look at his possible manic episodes:

Saul had grandiose or inflated thoughts about himself. After the prophet Samuel was delayed in coming, Saul presumed upon himself the priestly role of offering sacrifices. “He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul’s men began to scatter. So, he said, ‘Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings’ (1Sam.13:8-9). This inflated view of himself cost him the kingdom (13:13). A little later, he even erected a monument to himself (15:12). So there were periods in which King Saul elevated himself to the priestly role and believed he deserved a monument.

He also showed erratic and unpredictable behavior. In addition to the evil spirits episode already mentioned, he behaved erratically several other times. Once he foolishly bound his troops to a self-centered oath. “'Cursed be anyone who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!' So, none of the troops tasted food” (1Sam.14:24). When his son Jonathan broke the oath, he was going to kill him (v.44). Another time when prophesying, he stripped off his clothes and lay naked on the ground (1Sam,19:23-24). We should note that there were other prophets prophesying alongside of Saul, but he’s the only one recorded for doing so while naked.

He's remembered perhaps most of all for his sudden outbursts of anger and dangerous behavior towards David (1Sam.18:10-11) and his paranoid pursuit of David, which took him across the Judean countryside. Instead of ruling as king, he declared, “I will track him down among all the clans of Judah” (1Sam.23:23). Eventually, his paranoia led him to disguise himself in order to inquire of a medium about the spirit of Samuel, who had already died—even though he had forbidden the use of mediums (28:3-15). Saul demonstrated erratic behavior unbecoming to his position that was fueled by jealously, fear, and paranoia.

Saul engaged in increasingly risky (and dangerous) behavior. He became obsessed with David, frequently going on a homicidal rage to kill him. In fact, he made at least nine attempts to kill David. “While David was playing the lyre, Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear” (1Sam.19:9-10). Saul’s obsession wasn’t merely paranoia, it also proved to be deadly. He slaughtered those who sided with his enemy, killing a priestly family, and a whole town. "The king ordered the guards at his side: 'Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, because they too have sided with David'...That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. He also put to the sword Nob, the town of the priests, with its men and women, its children and infants, and its cattle, donkeys and sheep” (1Sam.22:16-19).

Even his son Jonathan wasn’t immune, “Saul’s anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don’t I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse” (1Sam.20:30)! We should note here that it is a common trait of persons with bipolar disorder to fixate on an event or person. When this fixation occurs, they can begin to trace their current situation or problem to that event or person. This is what we see in King Saul.

In the very least, we can say with confidence that Saul's behavior was times erratic and very unpredictable.

But that's not all. Saul also experienced depression. Saul experienced intense sadness and despair. King Saul’s internal torment was most likely severe depression. “Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better’… Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.” (1Sam.16:15-16, 23; 28:20)

Don't get thrown off when you read that the evil spirit came "from the Lord." While it's true that Saul had fallen out of the LORD's favor, still it is hard to see how listening to music would drive out the demonic. Certainly God could have sent an evil spirit to torment the king, but if he did this would be the one and only time it ever happened. Most times, God sends angels, prophets, and plagues. He doesn't usually use evil spirits to accomplish his work. Instead, a better way to understand "an evil spirit from the Lord" is to see it as the best way the writer could explain the odd, erratic behavior of their king. He used the language of his day to describe what he saw in the best way possible. Saul had done some bad things and now he was acting erratic; therefore, this must be from God.

Saul was restless. Again, King Saul’s restlessness showed in his paranoid pursuit of David. “Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, and he said, 'God has delivered him into my hands, for David has imprisoned himself by entering a town with gates and bars.' And Saul called up all his forces for battle, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men” (1Sam23:7-8). “After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, ‘David is in the Desert of En Gedi.’ So Saul took three thousand able young men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats” (24:1-2). Rather than perform the duties of a king, Saul literally chased David around the countryside.

And finally, Saul took his own life. King Saul’s life ended tragically when he committed suicide on the battlefield. “Saul took his own sword and fell on it” (1Sam31:4).

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