Patrick

I do try to focus on the times when Kal didn't have access to Stormlight in any meaningful way and how he behaved. Having experienced it I can tell you going manic is kind of like having a super power, a super power that eventually stabs you in the back. You think faster, come to conclusions, make intuitive leaps, work harder and faster. It's different for everyone but I also get huge bursts of physical power as well. Hitting the gym and tearing up heavy weights with no supplements or anything to help me along, just a 'can do' attitude that can leave others in the dust. Of course you eventually find yourself yelling at your boss over a perceived insult from weeks ago that he doesn't even remember...

I think the reason I feel so firm that he fits into Bipolar III (Cyclothymania) are the times when he had no real access to Stormlight but pushed himself to go far about and beyond what you might think a normal person could achieve. The instance where he first promises Syl that he'll try with the bridge crew and goes out on his own, grabs a big chunk of lumber and starts running with it all day, after little to no sleep and coming off the edge of a suicidal inclination. He switched so fast and so completely from about to kill himself to pushing himself to the limits of human endurance that it strikes me that he's got more than just depression going on. Also think of the cases of extreme optimism Kaladin has had, which often lead to disaster. He gets so convinced of himself and his idea's that he absolutely will not consider that he could be wrong, until people die. Manic doesn't just manifest in acting outwardly impetuous, it also shows very strongly in thought patterns. Challenging Amaram after the duel, his multiple failed slave revolts, the sideways bridge run, leading Shallan through the chasms. Being bipolar myself I am probably over identifying a bit

All spoilers, all the time! I am just finishing my second read through of both Way of Kings and Words of Radiance and it's occurring to me that Kaladin almost certainly has a chemical imbalance of some sort, most likely bipolar disorder. There are actually several different types of bipolar and he'd most likely suffer from a rapid cycling version, which would keep him out of long periods of dark dangerous depressions. Couldn't even guess if he was written from the start with the idea that he behaves as a person with the disorder would or if it's just coincidental. I cherry picked put some of the major symptoms as they apply to him from specific interactions and actions in the book. Depressive/dysthymic episodes. Symptoms of the depressive/dysthymic phase include difficulty making decisions, guilt, self-criticism, low self-esteem, pessimism, self-destructive thinking, apathy, hopelessness, helplessness and irritability. Also common are quick temper, poor judgment, lack of motivation, social withdrawal, self-neglect, fatigue.[9] Hypomanic episodes. Symptoms of the hypomanic episode include unusually good mood or cheerfulness (euphoria), extreme optimism, inflated self-esteem, rapid speech, racing thoughts, aggressive or hostile behavior, lack of consideration for others, agitation, massively increased physical activity, risky behavior, spending sprees, increased drive to perform or achieve goals, decreased need for sleep. Thinking about his flip flop from being ready to drop himself into a chasm, to driving himself beyond the limits of human endurance to get the bridge crew to follow him. Also his near constant moodiness in WoR is another big indicator. Thought it would be fun to discuss in any event.