I think it depends on the person. I never think I'm that bad, yes this is coming from me. I wouldn't say I'm suicidal often but I can get homicidal when manic. Im more self injuries when manic. Yes recent post talked about me being suicidal but that has more to do with "seeing" myself do the act than feeling suicidal. I only started taking medicine because a psychiatrist convinced me to try. I only started therapy because I was convinced my husband's therapist was going to commit me not because of bipolar. He only sought help because he needed a work excuse and release for being absent for a week and a half because of mania. I swear we're worse now knowing what"normal" is.

I'm good at pulling myself together. Usually I don't recognize my mood swings and I'm able to hide well. It is only until I let people into what I'm really thinking that they realize. My husband use to be able to pull me out after a couple of days to at least functional but medicated depression is different than non medicated depression. My psychiatrist and therapist regularly tell both myself and my husband that it's not our jobs to pull each other out of our episodes or do damage control for the other when manic that's there job. It sounds like your friend has taken away the professional's job which maybe unknowingly unfair to them.
Actually my bipolar as severe as it is while still being functional is not my main concern but I have learned my family's main concern is actually a side effect of my bipolar.

Edited to add: I have never been hospitalised it's actually in my treatment plan to not have me hospitalised no matter what as it damages my overall recovery.