My family is so good about this...my therapist talks to my husband sometimes, too, and my husband is "on board." He's talked to my parents--I did a little bit, to look at the family history. My psychiatrist has talked to me kids--he's here in town and wanted to talk to them because of his own experiences as a child. He wanted to completely de-mystify bi-polar.

HOWEVER, that said, we are very careful about talking about it outside the family. We moved here four years ago in part because of the situation disclosure caused in my old job.

My own feelings about being mentally ill? EVERY day something happens that reminds me of my limitations. EVERY day something comes up that is dangerous for me to do because it is very likely to trigger me. So, I have made a quiet life for myself and the only crowds I willing go to are writer's conferences--where I will find wild people even if they're not bipolar! Otherwise, three hours in a group is my absolute limit before I have to get away, and that can be awkward. For example, sleepovers when my kids were little were almost always out of the question, and that left a mark, a memory for that is sad for all of us.

BUT, I am a good mother, and I delight them in creative ways that knock their socks off. I concentrate on all that is special about me. It took me awhile to find that--to find things I could name and remind myself of and be reminded of, and that is a wonderful thing. I play to my strengths as much as I can, and I play them up. There's pressure, sure, but I am better than my illness is bad. Sometimes I have to be reminded of that, but, still.....