I am 55 years old and tired of hiding. I basically disclose to anyone who might be affected by my illness. This includes good friends, the in-laws, you name it. I also speak to groups about my mental illness through NAMI. If no one talks about this, the stigma will be there forever.
The only friend I know I have lost due to this is a gal I cancelled on a bunch cause I was depressed. She disappeared before I could explain things.
I DID lose a lot of friends when younger because of my crazy behavior. But they didn't know about my illness and basically thought I was a lying manipulative ****. and frankly, I was.