Family Reactions to DX?

I'm curious how many have told their family about their DX? My husband knows, obviously - would have been impossible to hide it from him. But I don't live near any other family. I told my mom, as I went to see her pretty soon after my initial DX, and I was still in a bit of turmoil. We had an interesting conversation about it, she was very supportive, and we talked about a bit of the family history that goes with it (a few relatives on my dad's side have/had it; I'm pretty sure my dad did, too, but undiagnosed).

My struggle comes with my two older brothers. We're not particularly close - well, they're close with each other, but not particularly with me. I stress out a lot going to family events (not just my family, my husband's too), though all things considered our families are pretty great. I just have felt too vulnerable to share it with my brothers, especially since we don't really have close relationships to start with.

My oldest brother struggles with ADHD, and he's recently started pursuing a lot of information about it and learning more about how it affects him and his relationships with others. He sent me an email about mindfulness and some apps he's recently discovered. I mentioned that I had started working on mindfulness several years ago and found it helpful when I do it. A couple emails back and forth, and I told him that my therapist had recommended I use it over the course of several years working with her. He sent back a touching email about feeling bad that he hasn't been a great big brother and he wants me to know that, despite that, he's there for me (in a nutshell).

So, I debated for hours and finally replied that I don't think it's fair to say he wasn't there for me when I needed it, since we're so far apart and I'm a pretty private person - it's hard to be there for someone if you don't know they need support. I also told him about my DX, and that I found it incredibly empowering to learn about how it impacts my life, my ability to relate to others, etc. And I was happy he's learning about similar things in his life, now.

And, radio silence on the topic ever since. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I'm filled with regret that I even mentioned it now. And he's close with my other brother, so now I don't know if he knows also. I'm stressed about it, and I really just wish I had never said anything at all. It's been relatively easy to mask it from them for a long time, since we live so far away and rarely talk/see each other. I could have just kept up with that...

How has it been for those of you who have mentioned it to family? Do you think it's normal to tell someone, and just have them not acknowledge it at all/ignore it? I have no idea what to do now, and I'm stressed because I can feel my cycle dipping, and there are a gagillion other issues that are weighing on me...I really don't need to add this to the pile of crap I'm anxious about right now.

My family all lives within 30 minutes of me and with being hospitalized a couple times last year they all know...I know that it stresses my poor mother a LOT but I just do the best I can and have made more effort to talk to her often so she knows what's going on, good or bad

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my parents never talk about it. they didnt even believe me at first. they never have seen me hypomanic, but its hard to deny feeling like you're on coke for months and not sleeping ect.

My sister and brother in law are my emergency health contacts. They have written permission to talk to both my psych dr and therapist. I need to prepare a hospitalization packet, copies of insurance card, etc for them in case I need to be inpatient in an emergency.
On the other hand, I have been careful and need to be even more cautious who I tell in the future. My close friends know, my pastor who is both a friend and spiritual consultant.
I will never tell my parents about the bipolar. They are abusive and controlling. This is not information they need.

I'm in my 4th month of diagnosis and just told my husbands sisters about it I also gave them permission to let me know if I seem off to them as I am still learning to acknowledge my behavior patterns. They are supportive. My mother however is tiring it's forever well honey try this or this or maybe it's not or what's bothering you I know something's wrong ugh no mother I'm just crazy! It's hard for her to understand I'll never be that degree holding professional she and her other daughter are. But I'm proud to say I'm a homemaker with four loving kids and a loving husband. This she never accomplished herself.

No matter how small, a positive change deserves to be celebrated!

My dad probably has no idea what it is because his mother was bipolar 1 and he didn't even seem to know! I only know she was because my mom told me. My mom was freaked out when I was initially diagnosed with bipolar but she's more accepting of it. She doesn't even seem surprised now that I've been diagnosed with BPD. But..I don't think she understands the severity of either of the disorders.

My dad was never one for expressing emotions. He avoided any discussion of mental illness, even about all 3 of my siblings who suffer from depression. My siblings have tried initially to show support by visiting me when I was hospitalised recently, but since then bipolar or schizoaffective are very hush-hush.

My family - and most of my aquaintances - know of my Bipolar and my history behind the diagnosis. As such, most of them have actually been both understanding and supportive.

My family doesn't believe in mental illness. When I'm depressed the all touch me with kid gloves, and when I'm manic they love being around me, until things get too bad. Then I'm too much for them.