Well, Blue Ianna, the information about the stigma's being present in the business world came from my psychiatrist, not from me initially. I understood what she meant. Some businesses just can't afford to carry the kind of insurance necessary to treat all employees for long periods of time... I think that was her meaning.

Now, about the socialite: her conditions were well known throughout the community but were not talked about. I lived there for 21 years and never knew her to be hospitalized or have police or ambulances at her home, except when she had several heart attacks and died. I suffered one of her blasts and put her down for it. She never tried it again.

In addition, not everyone has such a severe case of the illness that police, ambulances, hospitals, etc. are part of the scenario. As long as I lived there, I never knew anyone who tried to sting her with stigma; I'm sure she was disciplined by others at times, but isn't everyone?

I never heard of a stigma related to being poor. God help those who feel that way. If that's America, I'm embarrassed for my countrymen to have to live in a nation that holds a concept like that one.

You know, money may really be the root of all evil.

Yep, I agree with Morethingswrong. This has the ability to get ugly, and I want no part of anything like that.

Any stigma of bipolar illness doesn't wrap me in its clutches as I hope it does not with everyone. May we all have the independence of thought and strength to have peace and calmness in our lives as much as possible.

Thanks for all the responses.

Genetic