It just goes to show that bigotry and stigma about mental illness can come from anywhere, even from people who suffer from it. This has occurred with me with people in AA (I am also an 11 years sober alki as well as having Bipolar and panic and anxiety disorders) where they have Major Depression , which, while it is a terribly crippling illness and sometimes fatal, is defintely NOT Bipolar Disorder, which causes much more loss and disfunction and has double the mortality rate. I'm a person who advocates strongly for myself, but Man do I run out of steam trying to communicate with people who stay stuff like this - and that also includes the mental health professions themselves, as well as the worst - family and friends.

Like others said, this silly woman had no place talking to you about your illness. You have every right to take the issue up the chain. Who needs it??