me: i have bipolar disorder
someone: what??? bipolar??? really??? that doesn't seem like you at all!!!! i never would have guessed!!! you don't display any of the symptoms!!!!
me, internally: that is because i spend literally every single day of my life systematically and thoroughly disguising all symptoms of my severe mental illness so as to not be judged, isolated, and abused by those around me who misunderstand my illness. it's an exhausting way to live, but unfortunately, because we live in a society that so intensely stigmatizes my disorder, i have no other option than to exert an incredible amount of energy in hiding my condition. also, quite frankly, i don't know why you would think that you're educated and aware enough to pick up on the more subtle indications of my disorder, or why you would think you're privy to every detail of my life.
me, externally: haha, yeah, i guess.
