being labeled is somewhat natural. "look, over there at that fat, short, tall, thin, skin colored, etc." person. most people won't call you out & label you "bipolar, depressive, etc, " unless you walk around and wear clothes saying "hey, i'm bipolar!" or you tell the world. most folks with bipolar don't look significantly different then others. & that's pretty much the same for everyone with mental illness.

actually it's the same with folks who have asthma, diabetes , heart disease, etc. many times you can't pick folks with conditions out of a line up. unless they tell you..hey, I have asthma, etc.

I have some conditions. I am not bipolar, HAVE bipolar. it does not define me. it is a part of me. It is part of me living my best life. I don't walk up to strangers & share that with them. nor even with some friends. not part of the friendship.