I think, ultimately, the decision has to be based on what YOU can handle, not what THEY should or should not know. This is where you get to be the center of your universe : ). If you are prepared for any response that may arise from your family because you feel secure and are ready to heal fully...then tell them and feel the freedom of living without anything to hide. However, if you feel vulnerable to possible responses...wait to tell them until you feel more secure and grounded. I look at telling people like this: if you are a mighty oak and you don't mind people swinging from your branches or crawling up your trunk and you know you can weather any storm then tell any and all people that you feel like telling. If you are still a seedling or a fresh transplant...your root structure and branches cannot support the weight of ignorant people who decided to hang on your branches or crawl up your scrawny trunk...their weight and energy could break you (even if it is well intended). People should not be given information that could hurt you when you are just beginning to grow.

At this point I felt secure enough to tell my mom, grandma, brother and aunt. I have 2 friends who know it, too. One with BP, the other with Schizophrenia. Actually the one with schizophrenia didn't tell me about her DX until i told her about mine! Wild huh. Thats it. I am not ready to handle the rejection or stupid comments that may follow if I tell everyone.