For the most part I'm fairly open about it. I don't go around telling everyone, but if I happen to be manic or something I'll quickly let whoever I'm with know what's going on. If they ask about it I'll tell more, otherwise I keep it to myself. I don't think any of my friends know about it besides a childhood friend that suffers from similar problems. I'm fairly sure everyone, and I mean even second cousins, in my family knows about it. They also know I'm not afraid to discuss it so it's not like an avoided topic.

My mom also talks often about it on her blog, which I don't mind at all. If there's a chance someone can learn something about bipolar rather than what the stereotypes say then I'm all for it. I do however keep it hidden from work. I just started and am fairly sure they wouldn't be so understanding about it, so I don't want to risk causing trouble. I think that's really the only place I wouldn't talk about it.

My aunt is practically in denial about her diagnosis and won't even acknowledge it. I guess I just think that if I acted that way then people would be left ignorant about what it really is. I don't want people jumping to conclusions about me just because of a stigma.