Willravel

Crack open your DSM IV and start reading. There are logical diagnoses to be made based off behavior. If someone shows increased energy, activity, restlesness; extreeme irritability; distractability; little or no sleep; poor judgment; spending sprees, etc, they might just have bipolar disorder. It's a very tough thing to have, and it's a bitch to get over. What causes this behavior is basically unknown. Most people with bipolar disorder have some control over themselves. The idea of blaming must under all circumstances be a case by case study. I cannot make a blanket statement like, "People with OCD can't help themselves, they are all forced to do what they do". Likewise, I can't say, "People with OCD should be blamed for each and every action they take as if they didn't have OCD."

Bipolar disorder can lead to suicidal thoughts and even suicidal episodes,going back to the example you give above. If someone with bipolar disorder were to cut his or her wrists, the only way to determine if he or she was responsible and of sound mind is to do very serious and in depth psychological testing.

Of course, blame is very subjective. You can blame your car because you're late to work. You can blame God because something bad has happened to you. You can even blame Willravel if this thread dies.

The only certianty in my mind is:
The excusing of behavior is a much different consideration than causation.