The only one I've had to explain it to is my primary care physician because he is unfortunately very clueless regarding the condition and has said (I'm sure unintentionally) some stigmatizing things regarding it to me. I explain it how one doctor explained it to me that made sense. Everyone has highs and lows. For people with bipolar, the lows are much lower and the highs, much higher. For instance, a neurotypicals emotions could be charted using a six inch stick.....a bipolar persons require a yard stick. I explained that moods don't typically change from minute to minute or even day to day but last for varying lengths and varying severity. I also explained this to my son recently as he's coming to accept he may have it and needs treatment and evaluation. Someone mentioned that nothing triggers it and that is the case sometimes, but for me, positive or negative STRESS seems to bring about an episode. A doctor said that even with it being triggered by stress, it's still bipolar and stress is a known trigger. I'm in an acceptance mode about it all again and will be getting in to see my doctor soon as my moods have fallen off the ends of the yardstick recently.