I don't like being bipolar any more than I would like to be an amputee or a cancer patient, but it's part of my life and it will never go away. I don't really run around advertising my bipolar, but if it comes up, I don't shy away from it. People have so many misconceptions about bipolar, but it's not my job to educate anyone. If I tell someone that I am bipolar and they start treating me as if I might become a serial killer, then that's on them. If it's a so-called friend and they act that way, then they weren't much of a friend to begin with. I might be lucky, but I have never had a negative reaction from anyone I have told. For some of them, it's taken in stride, kind of like telling them that I have green eyes or that I've decided to grow a beard. Some of them say that they are glad I'm getting help, and if there is anything they can do for me, let them know.