I'm sorry you were so ill during a trip. It's scary to be ill far from home.

Mental illness is indeed hard for many to understand. It is also scary. It is sometimes an illness where people stay away, while otherwise they may be by your side.

There are a few ways to look at why your good friend told your co-worker. Maybe:

1. If you were in your good friend's shoes and vice versa, would you have told the co-worker if she had had a stroke or heart attack? Maybe not, but if so, consider why you think those illnesses can be shared, but not a mental illness.

2. She was scared and confused for you and sharing with others relieved her in some way?

3. She can't help but spill information on many things?

4. Another reason?

You need to ask your friend why she shared the information. Then you can have a conversation.

My advice is that you ask your friend not to share about your event, hospitalization, and diagnosis any further. That you would like to do so at your discretion. I hope she'll comply. I hope, however, that you'ld avoid having such a conversation with anger, and would accept any apologies.

Accepting a diagnosis of bipolar disorder is NOT easy. The experience can be overwhelming. It takes time, and I know there are many fears, sometimes embarrassments, and other issues to work through including the fear of stigma (not just from others, but maybe our own past and even remaining views on mental illness).

If you need time away from some people to process your bipolar diagnosis, it is fully understandable. Let those people you care about know if you need this space.