Why is it that you feel you need to tell your close friends about a diagnosis? If you had a heart condition or diabetes, you would not be advertising it, so why talk about bipolar? I think you are giving your power away and falling into the stigmatization trap when you feel you "owe" it to others to tell them. You owe nothing to anyone but yourself, your partner and your child. Stand tall and fight for your rights. This is your life and no one else has a right to know about it! And for gosh sakes, don't just stop the meds cold turkey or you will get very sick. At least speak with your doctor first and give him the benefit of the doubt since he has been working to keep you alive~