I explain that I didn't understand why I got diagnosed at first, because all I knew about it where the stereotypes - which I didn't fit into and later found out were all wrong.

So i start with that, explaining that there's a minimum duration of a mood episode (both manic and depressive) and average of only 4 per year, as opposed to being an "every other second thing".

Then secondly, that nothing "triggers" it, it just happens. That if it's bound to happen it will, regardless of whats happening in my life and there is no burden on other people to try to "prevent it", because they can't.

Lastly that its not just being really "happy" or "sad", that the mood symptoms go hand in hand with alot of other symptoms, otherwise everyone in the world could diagnosed with bipolar if it was that simple. And that its pretty hard to get a diagnosis.

I find just clearing up those firsts three things leaves room for honest discussion, if there is any later. But I usually don't tell people I have it though