I am struggling with the answer to this question too. I've told a couple of people. One that stands out is a friend with kids the same age as mine. She is having problems with her son (behavioral). I had (in some manic "everybody will accept me as I am") burst of socializing told her I was bipolar which she thought was "cool". Well whatever. But then lately she's like "since you have it then you must be able to tell if that's what my kid has" which makes no sense. I hardly know the kid and even if I knew him really well I am not a doctor and not his doctor!? Anyway this was just a weird feeling like I finally trust someone with this info and then it's like I'm a curiosity. Ugh. Other people I've told have had much more negative reactions, like not talking to me anymore or just ignoring what Imtold them. Because I dont tell people I feel like I am missing out on a whole world of knowing and being accepted "as is" by people but honestly the people Ive told have had such unpredictable reactions I have practically given up on ever getting anywhere with telling people. But I guess it has a lot to do with what your goal is in telling people. Right now I really need to vent without having to package my life in some form the other person will understand. But I don't think that anyone IRL can listen to me vent unless they're paid to do it. So glad I can come on here.