i'm bipolar also and have recently been hospitalized. i believe those that were once close to you don't understand the disease. i also believe they are afraid. afraid of what to say, afraid they might set you off, afraid that you are having a bad day and don't want to deal with it, etc. lack of understanding leads to fear. fear leads to the appearance that they don't care. fear leads to selfishness. selfishness leads to a lack of caring. it can be a vicious circle. i take the support i can get from the people in my life that reach out. those care nothing for me are avoided. you can't chose your family of birth, but you can chose a different family where you get support and the opportunity to support them when they need it. this is what i have done. chronic complainers need not be encouraged or tolerated. let them deal with their own disease. best wishes in finding a new family that gives you what you need and you can give what you are able