Sometimes I use the strategy of just saying that I have a lot of anxiety and have struggled with depression since just mentioning the term "Bipolar" people are bound to get the wrong idea unless they have an open mind or also struggle with it. "Mood disorder" is another term I sometimes use. There is no pressure to disclose though....I say wait until you feel completely comfortable. You may choose not to tell certain friends ever, and that's fine too. Everyone has a different comfort zone. Sometimes I get the reaction, "You don't seem Bipolar" from certain people. That's the reaction I get from people who just believe in the "angry person" stereotype without knowing anything about mania or episodes. Then, it requires some explaining, which I don't mind doing.

Generally, I wait long enough to really get close to the person, but sometimes I'll disclose earlier if someone else shares they have Bipolar or something related. If I'm dating someone, I will wait several months before I trust them and know they are open to actually learning more about the diagnosis and how it affects me. Sometimes I find friends are a lot less judgmental than family....my mother still doesn't understand.