I'm pretty sure my absolute best friend knows. I mentioned that I might be bipolar (long ago), and he absolutely couldn't believe it. He didn't have a strong knowledge about bipolar though. I think he did some research and put two and two together because he knows now. He always makes little comments and lets me know when I'm manic, and he drags me out of my room when I'm depressed. I can tell by his comments when I'm manic before I even realize it usually. (i.e. I say things that make no sense and I get overly enthusiastic about little things) He's kind of my mania detector now.

Another friend saw my antidepressants, and he looked at me and said "but you're not depressed?" I just told him I'm not depressed because of the antidepressants. We just left it at that.

The rest of my friends are convinced I have ADHD. They came to that conclusion on their own, and I don't deny it. Turns out ADHD doesn't have much stigma, so I just go with it. It's fun to joke about. My manic symptoms do mirror ADHD anyway. It just comes and goes.

My parents have seen the antidepressants as well, but mental illness runs very strong on one side of my family. They weren't surprised and didn't say much about it. I told them I thought I was bipolar a long time ago, and they couldn't believe it either. I just left it at that. They think I'm just a depressive like everyone else in my family. (Of course, their depressions don't involve breaking property and rage flashes...)

I don't really tell anyone else. if the subject comes up, I'll mention I'm a depressive. Most people just shrug. Most everyone knows someone on antidepressants. I know more than I can count. I don't mention the fact that I'm bipolar though. I know a very open bipolar, and stigma never seems to be a problem for her. I just don't care to tell anyone.

If anyone ever sees the Lamictal, I think I'm just going to say "it helps me," and leave it at that. I'm not about to be defined by the bipolar label. It's just another one of my quirks.

If you do tell people, be prepared for reactions you did not expect beforehand. I was surprised that nobody believed me, but I do function very well between episodes. I just don't think the average person believes you can be bipolar and intelligent.