Opening up about BP diagnosis

I've always been somewhat withdrawn, but ever since my BP diagnosis, I've been more withdrawn than ever. I just feel uncomfortable socializing, I guess. I haven't told a soul about my BP diagnosis, so I know I am withholding information from people, and that's what makes me uncomfortable.

I consider myself an honest person because I can't recall a time I've ever lied to someone, but when I withhold information like that, I feel like I'm "lying" even though I know it's not quite considered lying. That's why I'd like to be more open about the Dx.

How did you guys open up about your BP diagnosis? I'd like to open up to people, but I also don't want to be awkward about it. For example, I don't want to be like, "omg lol. Nice to meet you! I'm bipolar!" Seriously, that's just f***ing weird. Surely there is a better way to bring this up in a conversation.

its a little easier when you're covered in scars that you get questions about. then you can be like, oh yeah I got into a fight... with myself... and lost.

BP is about characteristics that everyone shares with us. So if you talk about say, being energetic or happy or anxious, you could mention it. Just make sure you don't give the impression you want/try to trivialise someone's feelings or experiences, or boast.

Lying is saying something that is not true.
Witholding info that may do more harm than good. Priceless.

Most people know within a few minutes that there is something wrong with me but nobody has ever asked what my issues are and I never offer an explanation. Bipolar or not I am just weird and I never try to hide it, so if anyone did ask I would just say I am unique and carefree.

there are a lot of people in my life I have not told, mostly because I don't spend much time with them usually because of distance. the other being if they are not really that close to me, more acquaintances. but if I do talk to a friend and they are open about some of their issues like anxiety and depression, I will commiserate in that capacity and sometimes offer solutions that have worked for me. and if we get to a point where I feel comfortable and they have been around me enough that I fell thy are comfortable around me, I will eventually work it into the conversation that I do in fact have bipolar. it has never been a put off from anyone. mostly because I am stable, I am a kind person who is very helpful and personable so I have given no one reason to think I am about to go off the deep end at any moment. which I never have really. I have gone into some absolutely dark and oppressive depressions but at those times the people who witnessed them were my immediate family and my drs. for the most part I can fake it til I make it. I work very closely with my drs as well to keep things as short as possible. we head them off early and work to make sure they don't last a long time. It's still very hard.
I do remember at one time, when I was having a really hard time and seeing all those happy faces on facebook and I so wanted to shout out to everyone that there are some of us who are struggling, that I was struggling. what keeps me from that is that my kids are on there as well, and I would not do anything that I thought would embarass them. but I did feel like I was living a lie. the only person I have told who I have somewhat of a bf/gf relationship with is someone i met here on psych central so there is no point in hiding who I am. he already knows. and if I do joke with him about being 'crazy', he points out that I am not crazy...I am moody. I've been through a lot of things with my bipolar, many are not things I am proud of. so I do watch and am cautious about who I disclose to. I feel pretty good about my ability to read certain people and discern whether or not they are safe to open up to.

I am kind of open with my diagnosis, I mean I don't go around telling everyone I meet, but I did open up about it last month on Facebook since May was mental health awareness month. But since it's summer and I wear tank tops, well I got to find a way to explain the scars on my arms...

I've only told my BFF because her husband suffers from severe depression so I knew she of all people would get it. I've tried talking to my mom about it but she just seems to keep thinking I'm going through 'the change' as a woman. I'm not that old!