diagnosed as paranoid schizophrenic and schizoaffective. His "default" setting was/is pretty much a depressive/pessimistic one, while his manic behaviors mainly consisted of (very) excessive substance use. Between his initial psychotic breakdown in 2007 (the summer I graduated from the University we both attended) and having to save him (chest compressions, calling 911) from a heroin overdose several years later, it's been a rough ride, but at least he's now properly medicated and fairly stable, living off disability and various odd jobs.

So yes, I can imagine what Brian Wilson's family must have gone through all those years of full-blown craziness.