I was just recently diagnosed, and I told a few people. I told some of my family (my mom, aunt, and grandmother), my ex-husband, and my boyfriend.

I told my family because they were aware of my previous diagnosis of Bipolar, and then know how much I've been struggling. I felt like it would help them understand. They reacted well, and have been supportive, even though I know they are concerned about the implications of the diagnosis.

I told my ex-husband because we were married for 7.5 years and he went through hell and back with me before he finally gave up. We still have a lot of contact and a fairly good relationship. I felt like he had a right to know what I had found out. I wanted him to know why I had done some of the things I'd done. He was very overwhelmed by the diagnosis and we haven't really talked about it. I think it was too much for him, after everything we'd been through.

And I told my boyfriend (of 6 months). He was also aware of my previous diagnosis of bipolar. He listened to me ramble about it all for awhile, and I told him I understood if it was too much, if I was too difficult. He told me that the diagnosis changed nothing. He said, "you're still the same person you were before the diagnosis, you just have a different label." He doesn't have much experience with mental health issues, but he's trying.

I don't have plans to tell anyone else. It's not a pretty diagnosis. But, for me, it was important that the people close to me knew what I was battling.