Hi @Pinny. I don't mind. It's a good question. And welcome!

I think people should discuss their MI with mostly those they can trust or that would understand. I realize people need/want a lot of support and/or want to fight stigma and educate, but the truth is one must still be careful. I'd hope most close family members and friends would be trusted. This varies. My siblings and father know about my bipolar illness, as does my husband and his closest family members. I've told a couple close friends in the past, too.

My old boss knew, but only out of necessity. A lot of people at my old job knew. Not because I told them. Sadly, they saw and heard it clearly. I wish they hadn't, but it was beyond my control. There can be a great pain having certain people see such vulnerability. And stigma IS rampant. Many look at mental illness much differently than say...cancer or heart disease or an appendectomy. No fruit baskets or well-wishes were sent from workmates (or anyone other than Hubby) during my 10 hospitalizations. Almost no one there said a thing to me after my return attempts. I'm sure this varies, though. One can feel like a pariah, especially if with severe MI. It's painful and makes recovery harder. Even my father, after being told of my hospitalizations, would always tell my husband "Tell her to call me when she gets out and feels better." Paradoxically, he has a mood disorder, too, as did his mother.

I started a blog four years ago where I shared lots of details. Many heard about my blog, but from others and from a brief time I linked it to social media. [HUGE mistake!] Some time after, that lack of privacy got to me. I've since transferred all MI related posts to an anonymous new blog. My original one is now primarily travel and culinary related.