Subconscious Motivations of the Bipolar Mind?

So, J called me this evening. We had broken up on Monday after what appeared to be the beginning of a bipolar episode. In an attempt not to expose myself to any recovered and reconicilation-laden sweet talk I have his number sent straight to voicemail. Unfortunately, I still get a vm notification and then, of course, I must listen to it. His message was so sad (asking me to please talk to him as I seem to be his only friend) that I called him back to offer an open ear.

He sounded not well (psychologically). He was confused, frantic. He didn't know what was happening. He didn't remember anything from Monday night (which was a pretty traumatic night). He sounded devastated. Then he told me that he's feeling like the last time he had a real episode - (3 years ago or so). The lights looked different. Things didn't make sense. People seemed to be telling him awful stories about me, triggering feelings of paranoia, never mind the sense of betrayal. He said he was going to go to the hospital.

Now, I need to think about how I should handle the follow-up to this story.

He had had a complete mental collapse on Monday, incessantly calling me at about 3 o'clock in the morning. Cursing, accusing me of terrible acts of infidelity, sending me about 60 insulting text messages. At about 5:30 in the morning he must have ended up on his old block and lost his phone, for somebody else thought it was entertaining to continue the trail of insults, sending the most awful things.
Tell ya -- they all need medication over there on that street.

So, what's this entry about? A subconscious motivation for such complete break-downs?

Here is _one_ theory: J feels so completely and utterly unfit for me (as a partner) that he (subconsciously) creates these mental episodes, for in comparison to his behavior during these (relatively brief) phases, his usual state looks pretty peachy (even though that comes with no job, no money, no secure home, and a slight addiction problem which hasn't been resolved entirely, yet).

I just don't know if he's going to make it.
I think his mental illness is taking over. :/
Or maybe, that's just how a life with J would be. -  Bipolar.
Happy & perfect when he's well and dramatic & awful when he's not.