I can't speak for other people but years ago, before any noticeable BP symptoms surfaced and I just had depression, and didn't know anything about BP, I would've thought it was having severe mood swings, like being happy one minute and angry the next. Also would've thought of people like Demi Lovato and the episode that was well publicized of her punching her back up dancer. So maybe thinking people with BP are violent or can't control themselves. I never would of thought of psychosis, I think you're right, people would think of schizophrenia.