So I was I diagnosed bipolar about two months ago but have had bipolar since I moved away to study when I was 19 (I'm now 26). This whole time I have lived away from home in various towns, and have only talked to my family when things are good. When I have disappeared off the radar for months on end they have never thought anything of it.

As far as i can tell they see me as the Typical oldest child - the one they can count on, the one who is privvy to all the family info, the one who moved in to care for sick rellies and who looked after my siblings when my parents split up. It's seems my mum at least thinks I am the one who hits the ground running, who is always ok, and is her ( and I quote) inspiration. She has even told me she knows she never has to worry about me because I am so strong.

She is right, I am strong, but you don't get to be strong without being challenged and bipolar certainly does that.

As far as I can see pros = I no longer feel like I'm deceiving them. Good.

Cons = they will worry, they might treat me differently, my mum will gossip and tell all of her friends meaning all of the small town I am from will know, the rest of my family will worry, if/when I get depressed again they will know and I will just want to avoid them, or they might try to "cheer me up" which as you will know is heartbreaking When you can't be cheered, they will realise I have tricked them for six years and might feel bad for not helping me, if I go manic they might make dumb jokes about meds/ treat me like I'm crazy.

There is nothing they can do to help other than how they already do without knowing - I'm not even in the same country as them at the mo. I worry that if I tell them they either won't get it, and will be annoying and interfere or they will get it and they will feel sad and worry.

So, to tell? Or not to tell?

Thanks for letting me vent

Me