[NoIdeaWhatToDo]

I've been wondering about this a lot lately. I've told a couple of people since I was diagnosed last summer...my husband, my mom, and at least one friend. I have a hard time remembering which friend I told, though. I'm wondering about telling my kids. I've already had the discussion with my daughter about the way I experience things - described it as a sort of roller coaster that I sometimes can't predict, and that I often feel things in a bigger way than many other people. So when I'm upset or happy or sad, I'm those things but bigger than people typically are. And that sometimes I may seem angry or sad or hyper, and it's nothing to do with anyone else (especially her and her brother), it's just how I'm wired and I'm trying to work on how to make it more even.

I was trying to figure out whether I name BP to her, though. She's 9.5 years old. I don't know how I would feel about her mentioning it to anyone else, and if I tell her, I certainly wouldn't want her to feel like it's a secret or anything. I don't want to feel like it's something shameful, particularly since there's a good chance she'll have to deal with it someday, too.

How open with others are the rest of you about your BP?

[UCMATH]

I've told a few people, but only when I thought it was absolutely necessary. In general, I keep it to myself. When I told my mother, she told EVERYONE she knows. When I told my housemates near my university, one of them told EVERYONE I knew that I'm a crazy, irresponsible, drug addict. I don't think she told them I'm bipolar, but she interpreted bipolar as meaning those things.

[Iamalioness]

I'm very open about it. I don't tell everyone, but my friends and family know that I have BP. If I feel it's relevant I'll even tell people I'm not close to. I want to de stigmatize mental illness and do my part to encourage open conversation about it. Now I don't know if i'd tell work if I had a job right now. Then I would be worried about stigma affecting my job security. So that's me.

[wildflowerchild25]

My family knows because of my many, many hospitalizations. Couldn't exactly hide it. I really don't have many friends. I have told three coworkers that I know I can trust not to spread it around and so far they haven't. But I prefer to keep it close to me. I just don't like talking about it to a bunch of people that don't understand.

My husband however has no problem telling people (his friends) about my struggles, which annoys me sometimes. Especially the fact that I've had ECT. On New Years he told our two neighbors (and everyone who happened to be around the damn fire) that That's why I couldn't remember the specific incident they were talking about. I was super embarrassed. But I talked to my husband and he said he didn't know it would bother me and that he wouldn't do it again. So hopefully he hasn't.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I am open about it although I don't share a ton of details with anyone. My mom and sister usually know if I'm mid-episode (my mom lives next door so she really always knows and probably tells my sister if I'm totally honest) but they don't always understand everything. Like nobody understood that about the only reason they'll keep you in IP over Christmas is because you are very suicidal. And I don't talk about that part with anyone because they don't get it. But everyone on my facebook knows; however I keep my facebook limited to people who I don't mind knowing. I tried doing facebook more traditionally and it didn't work because there were people who knew and those who didn't and people I hadn't seen in 20 years got gossipy and I just shut down and started over with a list of people I trusted. Even so nobody knows I've been severely manic lately. They may know I've not been sleeping, that's about it.

My 4 year old niece is starting to notice something is different about me than other adults and so talking to my sister about starting to discuss that a little is on my agenda. I want it to just be a totally natural, something they've always known, thing for my nieces.

I am fairly open my mom knows, most of my friends, and a handful of coworkers. I think I might of been too open at work however as now I feel that I am being stigmatized by some of my coworkers.

However my boss knows the jist of what is going on; i.e. I see a psychiatrist and actually even who she is he doesn't know my diagnosis unless he has heard it through the grapevine. He is super supportive though and allows me the time I need for appointments and if I need mental health days (taking one tomorrow). Which is super awesome.

[sorand0m]

I'm careful with it. My incredibly close friends know and my immediate family.

Work is different. My HR department know as I've had so much medical leave recently. Co-workers don't know although to be honest I'm guessing a few in particular know that I have bipolar. It's hard to hide a mood disorder no matter how much I try.

[Speraia]

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.

[Row Jimmy]

My family knows about it along with two friends. Most have been supportive but a few still don't get it. Like sorand, I'm very careful with it. In my line of work (I teach), if people knew I was BP, a few parent-enemies could make life difficult for me.

At the same time, I know talking about it is part of the healing process so that's a bit of a conflict. I tend to rant and rave so I watch myself when I talk to people who know.

[BipolaRNurse]

I've been pretty open about it and even have a blog about life with bipolar (see my sig line). I have found that workplaces are generally not BP-friendly and there is a lot of stigma in the working world. But I'm not ashamed of it, it's just part of me like big feet and hazel eyes. I want to help eradicate stigma in my lifetime, so I do my part.

Im very open about it but wish I wasnt... I tend to be so open about it when Im hypomanic in person and get soppy on fb if I am depressed.

Sometimes I wish no one knew.

[emgreen]

I'm a recovering alcoholic & I don't mind telling anyone if the situation warrants it. Bipolar, however? I can probably count on both hands the number of folks I've enlightened with that piece of news. It's no one's business & the stigma about it is still alive & well. The same might have been said of alcoholism thirty years ago, so perhaps in another thirty there won't be as much of a stigma attached to bipolar disorder...or any mental illness, for that matter.

[wiretwister]

only one coworker knows,, no one else except close family,,I have told a few that I met at work sites and I have to admit it was very liberating..but I choose very carefully and never anyone I feel will share with my company...mostly I find the ones I have told have there own mi issues,,maybe we sense it in each other...I really wish I felt I could tell everyone,, not for sympathy but just to be out from under the secrety..but not yet....to a man every one has said "you are medicated.right.." They may be sympathic but they still fear it....

[Treyfrancis21]

I tell people if the situation warrants it, otherwise I keep it pretty low key. As far as my children go however, my wife and I have talked to them about it a fair amount. I have a daughter age 10 and a son age 7, and I think trying to explain my illness and moods to them has helped tremendously. It has made them able to better understand that my bad times aren't because of something they have done.

[Zippo]

I've done stand up comedy about it to my whole community who are great and appreciate the stories I share. Sometimes I wish I would shut up but it doesn't happen, and now I'm totally out and people often come to me with their struggles now and that's good, I think. I help them get help if they need/want it. People seem to like and trust me and if they see that I'm bipolar they get a feeling that it's not something to run from.

[Nevvy]

Only my closest friends know about it, and the people who it directly effects if things go wrong (group members, etc).

I have been thinking about making my blog more about it, but I am not ready to take that leap yet, if ever.

I think you should only tell people if you know they will also want to know how it works and not just jump on the stigma boat. My friends don't understand it entirely, but they are learning, and that's something.

My partner also knows, obviously, but he is okay and knows more or less what's going on with me. I found him an online course that helped him better understand it and provide him with assistance when necessary, and he's also a medical professional, so that also helps a bit.

In terms of family.....yea, both my sister and mother have BP, but I haven't told them because a) I don't have contact with them, and b) because even though we have the same thing in common, I don't think it will sit well with them.

Talking about mi is a path you sort of have to tread carefully. Not only because of the ridiculous stigma, but also that people sometimes just react irrationally when they don't understand it.

If it goes well, you have more people who can support you, but it could also isolate you.

I am deathly afraid of my in-laws finding out, for example. I even hide my medicine and such when they are around, actually. They are the sweetest people in the world, but my partners aunt down the street has some sort of mi, and they always call her the crazy aunt....I don't want to be the crazy son in law. I have nothing here besides my partner and can't deal with the isolation.

I rarely tell people about my bipolar. I'm in AA and if I get close to someone (usually a woman), I might tell that person, but otherwise it's mum's the word. Just feel there's too much prejudice about mental illness.

[Homeira]

I am very open with my family, which is a large one... A lot of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, brother, sisters etc... I want to break the code of silence that has reign in my family about how we are genetically predisposed for this illness. Several people amongst us have BP. Big family-secret before. Not so much anymore. My brother has BP also, and we have made a joint effort to enlighten our family members about it. I feel it is very important for the new generation in the family, they must know about this, so they don't have to go undiagnosed and miserable for years, like me and my brother did.
Outside of my family, only a few people know. I am very selective about who I tell. I don't have a lot of close friends, but they know, and they are supportive and understanding.

[enjoyyourlife]

Only my family. Although i sometimes give hints about my extreme behaviour I would never tell them ...