That's really good he is supportive! I'm happy for you. Your boyfriend is right. Just because you have something with a label doesn't make you different than who you were before you told him. Hopefully he will get some education on the physical side of the illness as well, which will help you both.

Most people have no idea that bipolar is actually a physical illness (which is why so many people are not supportive.) Like for example yesterday I was watching Dennis Leary doing stand-up. Sure, he's funny, but grossly misinformed about certain things (like bipolar.) "Oh you're happy then you're sad? That's called Tuesday." More people are likely to hear him doing stand up (or others like him,) than to research it themselves, which perpetuates the stigma, which is why finding those supportive people is so hard!