I'm also Bipolar II and have never been hospitalized or attempted suicide. Though, really, the only reason I get to keep my freedom is because I fear being locked up more than anything. I have the state statutes memorized and even in the depths of my worst mood episodes the careful responses to the authorities' questions that I've memorized are what I speak. Even in a depression-related dissociative black-out, I convinced trained first responders that I was perfectly fine (a feat I'm rather proud of). When I asked for help, I phrased my request very carefully. Because I'm a professional writer, I'm very attuned to how what I say will sound to others, and so I never voice the thoughts I know will sound crazy. I'm also extremely strong-willed and goal-oriented, so I accomplish things despite the madness going on in my head. All this serves to mask the real severity of my bipolar and make me appear so high-functioning it's hard to get people to believe there's anything wrong with me at all.