What I know could fill a book. What I don't know could likely fill thousands.
Have you read my blog on my myspace page, the one about my brother and mom?
They both have/had it.
I believe my uncle had it as well, and likely their parents both.
Just being around them, worrying over them and watching them is terribly painful and frightening.
I do know it occurs in many intensities, it seems. Some have it fairly mildly, others are extreme. I think my brother is pretty extreme. He can't get by without medication, and even now, for some reason, he's not doing well after his last "break" where he went off his medication. he is a ward of the state, and it seems to me he struggles hourly with this disorder.
His clinical diagnosis is Bi-Polar with Schizophrenia.
I think the important thing is to get with good professionals who can help manage medications and help keep an eye on the patient's mood and state of mind, and adjust accordingly.
good luck in your search, there is a lot of information out there, but the more I learn, the more that I feel that every case is different, and no two could ever be alike.
Liz