I sometimes still feel that way, but usually only when I am manic or an having psychosis. When I am experiencing psychotic symptoms and have to go out in public I feel like every one can tell I'm hearing things or seeing things.

For me really truly accepting myself and accepting my illness was key for me to get over the shame. I worked on this in therapy and group therapy as well on my own. Along with self confidence building.

When I have decided to share my diagnosis with a select few, the response has always been " Really, I would have never had guessed ". Just goes to show our perception of how others see us can be way off.

Anneinside, I'm in a very small city and I frequent the same stores coffee shops ext.. The inevitable question of "What do you do for work?" always comes up, I always say early retirement, or I joke that I am an heiress to the Hershey's Co. Really I am on disability and am 32, so early retirement is basically true, but I look a little young for retirement.