I was wondering if others share their diagnosis of bipolar with others (besides immediate family, of course), or keep it secret. I find it difficult to form meaningful relationships with people when they don't know about that huge part of me. This disclosure would help explain some of my otherwise unexplainable, erratic behavior.

On the other hand, I know not everyone is "evolved" about mental illness, and certainly some people may shy away from me or make fun of me because of it. Furthermore, I fear it may negatively impact my daughter if her friends heard about it, which would likely happen if I were totally open. Consequently, I've kept very much to myself, have no close connections with people and feel very lonely.