After decades of living with BP1, I've learned that most people distance themselves from you because they don't understand your illness or its symptoms. Try and encourage those who are your closest friends and relatives to get on the internet to have their questions answers - or you can inform others. The cause of prejudice is ignorance.

And after you've tried everything you can to educate others, if they still want to "bail," let them. They're not worth your time, energy, or emotional wellbeing to cling to.