Wow I understand almost everything you describe (except attempted suicide, I think I'd feel too selfish doing that and then feel bad for feeling that way. Instead I tend to go destructive on my life severing all avenues of success or potential pleausre), but I would never refer to myself as bipolar.

Also I appreciate your skiing example. I'm forever seeing how real life translates into some abstract problem or representation and feeling kinda weird about that. Or dreaming all night in code, symbols or (recently due to related work) music to try and solve a problem and waking up exhausted but with an answer.