I wish that were true. I have a son who is bipolar, and when his medications are not right, life is he** around the house. He is going through puberty right now, and that throws everything off. I've had to have him locked up twice to get things straightened up. It's not safe for him or my family when he is in that state. He is totally irrational, and bounces from depression to violent to happy. He can go from an insane violence to being sound asleep in two minutes.
I would willingly give my left arm if it would make him better. When he is not cycling, he's the sweetest boy I know.
Kids are kids and all people are different. I have known many people who act that way and sometimes they change as well. That is life. Learning how to control yourself and how to behave are a part of life.
I personally do not believe it constitutes a medical condition though. And unfortunetaly once kids or adults are told that their behavior is not their fault and is a medical condition instead, then their natural growth is stunted because they are told they are not responsible to learn how to behave.
Of course all of this is great business for the medical and pharmaceutical industries but it is sad for those who become stunted because of it.
There have always been problem kids, problem adults and people who struggle with self-control and behavior.
Of course I am not saying that for some people that there are not underlying biological causes as well, there very well may be. I am also not claiming that some of the medications involved may not even be beneficial. I do not know but I am highly suspicious of these of bipolar and ADHD and the over medication of societies children.
I went to school with a kid who was bipolar for a couple of years and your description is pretty real accurate. One minute he's be laughing the next cussing up a storm. Seeing as how the kids dad was a preacher I don't think it was any lack of discipline.
Later when I went in the Navy a guy in my shop I now understand was bipolar. I know that now by learning the disorders symptoms. The guy didn't get help he got a Bad Conduct Discharge and baited by idiots who liked to see him go off. He went from near 4.0 military evals to that in a matter of months. His mood changed almost in a matter of seconds sometimes for no reason.