No, I think the way you describe your recent feelings and episodes is typical of BP. I think this is possibly why so many of us decide to hide the illness from friends and colleagues. It's just impossible to explain. And people form their own opions on the illness way too quickly.

I can totally relate to the stress thing. Stress never got to me. Now the slightest thing is considered stress - an appointment or meeting out of sync... - and I can totally lose it.
I hate it too. And our loved ones really do get to bear a large portion of the brunt.