i haven't told my friends only my mom and husband know.

No one knows but me, and only the people on this site. I hope to keep it that way

Nobody but other BPs know.

It doesn't come up in conversation for me much unless it is with someone I am dating, friends or family. I have no problem talking about it though. It has happened that someone I am talking has made some sort of comment about the disorder and I have said "oh, me too. I'm bipolar." It helps if you are not insecure about all of your other gifts.

It's really hard to tell people. I am quite open about my illness and it has gotten me into trouble in the past but I figure it's just a disease like any other disease and if people judge me then that is their problem not mine. It is hard when you are sick because you are expected to bend over backwards to make things right and that is almost impossible to do when you are sick. It is society's perception of it. That is why there are crazy people out there running around with guns in schools killing people because they couldn't admit they had a problem. One good thing about DS is that it allows the moderators to catch those people who are really unstable and hence save lives. I don't regret telling anyone this is me this is who I am. I have a legit illness just like any other illness and if people can't deal with that then they are not worth dealing with!!!

I tattoed it to my forehead

I wasn't ashamed of having it, until one day at the hospital when some a-hole receptionist treated me like an idiot.
Now I don't tell anyone that doesn't have to know.

Crap! It's not like we chose to have this any more than someone chooses their skin color!

I am so afraid to tell anyone at the same time I want certain NOT ALL people to understand me, but I guess they just wont So I will keep my mouth shut for now...

I've been where you are at. Many years ago, I decided that I could only be who I am and if someone doesn't want to be friends with me because of this illness then their is nothing I can do about it. Telling people has its consequences, and so does not telling anyone. You've got to decide what is right for you. Hang in their and be proud of who you are and don't let "words" bring you down.

how do you even tell them to understand. I feel most of the time hubby does not even get it...how do I even begin to explain...

I've only told my family, bf and people on this site.

Once at work a collegue was talking about how someone she knows is NUTS because their skitzophrenic and she was bagging them out about being crazy etc. I sat there with such a straight face not laughing or smiling at anything she said. I dont think she even noticed but i wanted to yell at her "HOW DARE YOU! YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW A MENTAL ILLNESS CAN AFFECT SOEMONE! IT IS NOT A JOKE!"

Instead I waited until she finished and said "I feel sorry for people like that. They can't control what they have just like soemone can't control whether they have cancer or diabetes...it could affect ANYONE." and walked away.

Of course each person must deal with their own set of problems and issues ,about telling people about being bipolar.And every situation is diff.


But ,in my opinion,until we open up,show the world that BP walk among them..and that we are bank tellers and shop keepers and lawyers and ..yes ..even Doctors...not jst loonies walking around in the shadows......there will always be a stigma to mental illness.

I have never regretted telling anyone I have bipolar disorder. My entire family knows and my friends who are close. I dont think it is necessary to tell "everyone" I meet or know unless there is reason too. I have my anger issues pretty much under control except for some outbursts with my family. They understand where it is coming from because we communicate about it constantly. I dont think I have had any outbursts with my friends for a very long time. I have noticed this.....the less I place emphasis on bipolar disorder, the less there is a stigma about it. I treat it like any other illness. I am not crazy, I am not alien. I am human with a disorder that I work hard to handle and I try to show others the respect that I expect from them. Hugs

dancingd I agree!!!!!!!!!!! and that is one of the biggest things for me. WHY am I not telling WHY becuaes ya know why,....I think they will say she if nuts, but the stigma is there and it is a WRONG one. and I dont know how to deal
The other day my hubby did something and I blew up the first thing he said screaming at me was are you taking your meds.
After I walked away nad calmed down after I freaked of course I told him, this pill will not CURE me. I just dont know how to explain it and I want him to understand..I just odnt know what to do with it all or where to put it.
How did you get your loved ones to udnerstand?

thanks shelly!! that makes me feel better. My BIGGEST fear is telling my kids when they grow up..