My thinking was also kind of what TgFlux was saying.

I have the same attitude, but the odds are in nobody's favour when ignorance is making choices.

Ultimately I want someone who I can lay all the cards on the table with and have there be no judgment and have that not impact on getting to know the person (on both ends).

While this is a very valid want for every humanbeing, we have to consider the other person in the equation.... What if (in this case) that particular girl had a horrid experience with someone who has a bipolar dx? What if that person is her only reference for bipolar? This means that she has NOTHING else to go on because you didn't give her a chance to get to know you seperate from you dx, and so she makes the decision based on the only data available to her.

For example if I was connecting with someone on a date and they admitted to being schizophrenic (or other) I wouldn't let that affect my judgement of them and getting to know them.
But being slapped with a mentally ill label yourself you'd be kind of an as.s. to turn down a girl based on a dx. Not only that, I assume you've educated yourself on atleast the basics so you have no media stereo type and fear mongering to contend with, like the general population.

That's the person I want.

And that's the person you'll find, but you have to give them a fighting chance here, even the playing field. Ignorance is a huge disadvantage, something you are clearly overlooking... Your premature honesty forced this girl to make an uninformed decision. One she probably doesn't even like, but feels is the best choice. Because here's she's suddenly faced with horrid media image / personal experience VS this guy I barely know, but felt a connection with.

Had you given her more time to get to know you, she would've had the opportunity to see that the label didn't matter as you would've provided her with enough data to be able to possibly be non judgemental and to make an informed decision.

I think there are many times when we expect a lot from nons without even realizing it, and it makes many of us miserable. I've been there myself (not WRT dating) and I think that we should all learn to exercise some consideration and empathy toward them, because they deserve it as much as we do.

I none the less kind of feel stupid now haha...