Only my husband and psychiatrist, but to lesser degrees than I think you are describing. Perhaps my old neighbor did to a degree, but more in a stigmatic way than a caring one. For example, that neighbor only really wanted to talk or deal with my husband, and not me. She seemed to look down on me and her superficial friendliness towards me was more when she wanted something from me, like when she was away, ask me to let some worker into her house or feed her cats. It was almost as if she saw me as intellectually inferior to her, which was far from the truth. She's since moved far away. I confess that I don't miss her.

I don't know your family members' or friends' personalities, but maybe you need to be very assertive in squashing such thinking that you describe. If they perceive you as being weak or out of control, you may be reinforcing it by not speaking up loud and clear. And if you do speak up, make sure it's not in a defensive way. Make sure it won't be taken in a way that would sound like a declaration from a teenager. You are an adult who works and supports yourself. That is to be respected. They need to respect you and you are more than just a disorder. If they've forgotten a bit who you are beyond bipolar disorder, it's time for you to remind them. If you choose to do this, I'd also be sure it's firm, but not aggressive.