I'm sorry that it's so hard on you. Your mom already has preconceived notions and her own ideas from having to deal with another bipolar affected individual before. By the sounds of it, she sounds like she hasnt any real factual information about the illness. Not having family there is rough. Not to take away from you, I told my Mother and she asked me "what is there to be depressed about? Look at me. I should be depressed but I refuse to be depressed. Life is to short to be depressed. Get over it." My Father was like "I'm sorry. How's the weather down there". My partner tells me I'm faking it and it's all made up. Let me check, Yep, that's everyone I know. Only real support I get are from strangers like yourselves because I too have none here. Hang in there. It doesn't mean anything.