I hope it's ok to piggyback this on your thread.
This is what I've drafted. I haven't posted it yet because I'm a little hesitant on my own, but I'm pretty sure my wife would not be in favor of such a post. Anyhow, here is what I'm considering:
From my requests for rides to ECT, many of you will have figured out that I suffer from depression. To put a specific label on it, I have bipolar II, in which the manias are less severe, but depressions longer than with bipolar I. Because I have rough times, and occasionally experience stigma, I'd like you, my friends, to be as informed and educated as possible. Bipolar is not like flipping a switch from elation to rage or despair. It does not make one crazy. It is quite often grinding depression and a struggle to function like everyone else. It is an illness poorly understood and frequently misrepresented in popular culture. Please understand.
The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance has a good site for information.
About Bipolar Disorder - Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
(And thanks to Gabyunbound for the editing suggestions.)