What is hard to see or hear are comments from people who don't have a clue there's a bipolar in the room. They were talking about someone they know "he went all bipolar!" or "don't listen to a bipolar person!" Those are some I've heard recently.

I have a girlfriend who I've told about the bipolar. Once I had been out of the scene for awhile, depressed maybe. She meant no harm but asked me, "so are you in the manic phase now since you're out & about?". She is a very intelligent lady, but thought that bipolar people are only either up or down. I guess it made me feel bad because I know my episodes - that during those I'm ill - not all the time.

It's an episodic thing, I have periods of time where I am fine. And most people have no clue I have this. I think about someday announcing it to people, because the more of us who come out - who look ok on the outside, then people will be more accepting. But I'm certainly not about to become the bp poster child.