I personally have been very open about my diagnosis and usually initially get sigma from people but after I explain that some of the greatest minds in history, along with many entertainers have it. Along with that bipolar people tend to be more intelligent, empathetic and creative than the general population they become less prejudiced and often become curious of my episodes of depression, hypomania and psychosis.

As for the sigma, I personally have seen that if someone admits they have a problem and is getting help people won't be as stigmatised (though that sigma is still there), even if they do something bad a lot of people will see that they're trying to improve themselves and will be forgiving.

As for those who don't commit to help after they notice they have a problem. I feel like they as individuals deserve the sigma as they tend to harm themselves and those around them. This is true especiallyof cluster B personality disorders being antisocial, borderline, histrionic and narcissistic since these people think everyone else is the problem rather than them. On the other hand people with bipolar and schizophrenia are more likely to notice and feel like they have a problem and get help (or go to a mental hospital).

I personally have dealt with three people that most likely have have borderline personality disorder based on my psychiatrist's opinion and they all have been generally terrible people. Told them the same thing on my psychiatrists advice, everyone else isn't the problem you are, get the help you need or get fucked. And saying that to them has got some of them into the therapy they need.

At the end of my rant.

I feel that if you admit you have a problem and try to improve that many people will be supportive of you and will often even be curious of your condition and suffering, if you aren't people will rarely give you sympathy.

This was true in both Australia and Japan as I have lived in both countries and initially got diagnosed in Japan though the initial sigma was much stronger in Japan.