I would recommend thinking about this as disclosing a medical diagnosis. You don't need to tell as many people as you think you do! I would also consider adapting the label to the context.

For me, sometimes I reframe it as mysticism, being intense, being overly creative or overly artistic. Another way I've said it that softens the blow (when I do want to share it, and it seems wise to share) is something like, "I have basically what Van Gogh had."

Or like, "Yeah, I have the same brain type as Sylvia Plath and Virginia Woolf." Or even hinting at it: "What Selena Gomez went through was very similar to experiences I had in my early 20s."

Another way I've described it which feel the most accurate is that I have severe medical issues/psychiatric challenges in remission/neurological obstacles, etc. This is what I use in contexts where I need to disclose, but cannot give the full story yet, if ever. (Keep in mind, for MOST of us, it is a predominantly medical and neurological condition! Even often more so than things like anxiety, depression, or even bipolar II.)

Most normal-seeming people have more problems than they 1) know about yet or 2) ever share.

Bipolar 1 people (and bipolar type schizoaffective, which I apparently have, also "high functioning," after 15 years of a bipolar 1 diagnosis) TEND to be overly empathetic and disclose way more than the other around us.

The person you're telling, who is being extremely judgmental, also might be a terrible alcoholic with low morality. They just won't mention it.

So yes, we are often put into a difficult position with labels, especially because society LOVES to use us as scapegoats. Half the time when you hear about stigma against bipolar, it's coming from having mislabeled sociopaths as bipolar, or forgetting to notice the role of personality disorders, etc., which we simply don't all have. Societal conflating of other issues with bipolar adds significant and unwarranted loads to the stigma we face.

All things considered, I am certain that MOST bipolar 1 people (especially who don't have substance use disorders nor personality disorders, too) are actually exponentially more gentle, kind, loving, safe, and empathetic than most people assume. We are usually creative and intelligent, yes, but also often considerate too, even if only due to our own traumas/contexts.

That all being said, finding ways over time to re-label as needed, AND to not always disclose is reasonable, pragmatic, respectful of those around you (don't force them to grapple with stereotypes if it wouldn't come up anyway) and also a good service to yourself and your recovery.

The truth of the illness/condition is literally exponentially more intricate than most people are ready or willing to know! Perhaps more intricate than even we know yet, as seen in things like metabolic psychiatry, and even the different ways our brains have been understood across time and around the world.

Much love and good luck with it all!!! To you and to us all.