i protect my having bipolar to almost everyone. there's no need to feel you have to-your behaviors or not. too many ppl do have a distorted opinion about MI. even some of my family attribute everything about me as coming from my bipolar. i never discussed this at my workplace either.
even if you feel being bipolar is a huge part of you it doesn't define who YOU are, imho. why do u feel the need to tell ppl even if friends about this? i only do it if it's absolutely neccesary or i totally trust the person who is a friend on a "need to know" basis. it's worked for me and i don't feel guilty for holding this info back. i'm not ashamed of it, i just use good judgement based on my experiences.