My isolation trigger is not personally knowing, face to face, another with bipolar. Thinking the few friends I did have; disappeared after I informed them I was BP. Reading on the net in search "UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF STIGMA ON PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS". Only read this article yesterday. As article speaks of (including much more) there is no doubt the general public do indeed have a "stigma" about people with mental illness. Such includes stereotyping, prejudice, and misconceptions. I know I am negative, and my BP might be part of the problem. I have decided to never share except here. Also perhaps; those in real life feel the same; we fail to relate.