Hi Lobster Hands, so sorry you are going through this garbage. I know how hard you work at staying on top of the disease. If you are still not sure, you might want to touch base with your T and/PDoc. As for what you tell people, I tell them I have bad depression. People have come to accept depression, there isn't much stigma around it. I leave the juicy details out, mania, BPD, anxiety, etc.
Whatever you decide, I'm here for you. Just PM me. Will be thinking of you.