I agree that its a tough call and really depends. How much do I trust the person? How close am I to them? Have they said or done anything that would give me pause to share this with them?

I started off just talking with a friend (who started as a co-worker) about how mental illnesses affect those around me and how it could be affecting some people around her and she seemed very understanding of the impact of mental illness. It took several months of discussing mental illness in general before I trusted her enough to tell her I was BP. She reciprocated by sharing with me that she was being treated for Atypical Depression. Fast forward a year and we're now best friends, talk almost every day, and support each other when we're feeling down.

It was very, VERY hard to work up the courage to tell my friend about my BP and I knew it would be a game-changer in our relationship. The key is, she earned my trust and I knew I could tell her and she wouldn't tell anyone else about my condition. Once I established that, I just "put it out there and let the chips fall where they may".

It really is a very personal, very situation and person specific decision. I will say this, she has quite honestly saved my life by being there for me when no one else was (including my wife) and we love each other like brother and sister. She is a HUGE part of my support network and I frequently thank her for being my friend and and all she's done for me.

It really is a tough call and in the end the only advice I can offer is that I've been there and I know its an extremely tough call. For me, the payoff was worth it. But at the same time I have numerous other friends whom I am close with and whom I have not told and probably never will tell. I looked at it from a cost/benefit perspective initially - whats the absolute worse that can happen by telling her and am I willing to risk that happening for the chance of sharing this? Based on their behavior I've observed, their comments, etc, are they likely to understand or get freaked out? Would they ever share this secret with anyone else I didn't want to know or otherwise use this knowledge against me?

It is an exceptionally hard decision, and one that rightfully deserves a lot of thought. I hope this helps and that you reach an answer soon. It can be done and it can have a wonderful outcome, but even I know this would not be the result in all cases, I really REALLY got lucky in knowing and sharing with her.

Good luck and best wishes. Feel free to message me if you want to discuss further.