Welcome to our forum(s),
Many people can be further educated about Bipolar Disorder as well as other disorders, many local hospitals have monthly or bi-weekly meetings teaching families and friends about symptoms, episodes, meds., etc., they can also meet with your pdoc and learn about this. Books, internet sites, also info. with hope of removing the ignorance and stigmas of mental disorders, which are becoming more and more prevalent in today's society, more and more people are suffering from depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders, many choosing help through behavioural health clinic, as well as departments in many hospitals, that offer in patient and out patient care, counseling, etc.
You were right to explain to your mom/family that Bipolar doesn't have any bearing on how intelligent a person is, it may even surprise her that many genius minds were and are bipolar, research still being done if there is a true correlation of the disorder and it's affect on the brain's "wiring".
I find it so sad when people lack the obtainable (sp?) knowledge/info on mental disorders as well as physical disorders. I also find it sad when the media see bipolar in "black and white", portraying bipolars as criminals, killers, and psycopaths. Such ignorances fuel stigmas, and at the same time shut people off from learning more about bipolar disorder, they fail to learn that there are various levels and intensities to this disorder, ranging from mild to extreme mania, mixed diagnosis besides bipolar can exist in one individual, there is so much the public needs to learn, just like the awareness of other disorders.
As a person who was DXed 4-5 yrs ago as Bipolar-II (mild) and also have family members that are bipolar of various types, is stick with a treatment plan, to prevent any negative outcome. If prescribed meds and follow up appts. keep them, you can live what people call a "normal" life (though no one is 100% normal)following a plan can eliminate severe episodes from occuring, providing the patient is compliant.
Well, I am rambling, I guess, but please know there are lots of terrific people here at this forum and the other forums at this site that are very supportive and fun to just talk to about many things, not just our disorders.
I hope you will feel at home at "our house", relax and know we care
Take care now, okay?
DE

PS
You can PM me if you ever feel you'd like to.