FUCK YOU BIATCH!!! Middle finger fully extended.

NOT COOL...at all!!! I am sorry :(

I most definitely, would've been very, very angry, and went into a rage. I know I would've spouted off some pretty bad cuss words. Unfortunately, I have a problem with impulse control, and she might've got something thrown at her, whatever was within my reach. Lucky for her, she was no dealing with me.

I would have been very angry!! I would tell her to mind her own business and then I would mind my own business...and not tell her anything in confidence anymore!! If she asked why... I would tell her that if she questioned about my mental stability...then I refuse to share anything more with her EVER!!!

Yes I would have been offended. My response would probably be to start talking about myself in the 3rd person and really show them my stability...but I'm a smartass like that.

Gee, there's so many variables!!!

You say that lately, BEFORE this trip, you were having doubts.

So even before this event took place, you had knowledge that what you 'always alway always' thought was no longer true.

If I were in that situation, I would already be feeling a little bit sad and predisposed to things not going as nicely as they once did.

This heated discussion -- if I 'lost' it big time and did not act well, I wouldn't be as offended as if I kept my cool and didn't say anything out of line.

Our illness can make us act inappropriately sometimes, and if people who are close to us know that, it's kind of 'sad but true' that they will be more questioning when there's any kind of a flap.

Did she ask your mom that right in front of you or is this something your mom relayed to you after the fact?
Grrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!! NO ONE likes being talked about in the third person when they're standing right there!!!

And while I'd be steaming inside, I think I would politely and calmly point that out to her and ask that her not to do that again.

Any chance in the world that you and your aunt could get back to a better place?
If you're willing to risk things not going the way you'd like, you might try having a heart-to-heart with your aunt -- just the two of you -- and tell her how much you valued the closeness you both once shared and that you're sad that it seems to be moving away from that.

As to what she asked your mom, if she did say that right in front of you, she was most likely trying to jab you a bit.
People know that's an insulting thing to do.

And if she didn't say it in front of you, tell your mom to not share stuff like that with you, in the future.

At the same time, IF she truly thought you were not handling things the way any 'normal' person would, she may actually have some genuine concerns as to how well you are faring, mentally.

I really think I would have responded by being the bigger person and seeing if I could make things better than they were.

But at the same time, I'd be pretty sad and hurt AND a little ticked about it all.

I'm sorry this happened.
I truly hope that you and your aunt get back to the way you guys used to be!!!!

(((((Hugs)))))

Peoples perception.... of course I would be offended especially that she was speaking to my mother in front of me.... sharing confidences with her would be difficult and for me the relationship would be strained.. I have trust issues so it wouldn't take much for me.. I hope you are able to move beyond this and that it does not affect your self esteem... people can be cruel... ((hugs)) polar

Oh My! I can not stand when ppl's ignorance( when it comes to Bipolar, etc.) get's in the way of things (Family life, Fam. in general, Life in general, work, friendships, and even ur " friends" on fb, lol ). I have told a couple of ppl on many occasions, that Just B/C I'm Bipolar DOES NOT mean I'm STUPID, IGNORANT, INCOMPETENT, ETC! Gaaah, I hate that happened to you & in that way ( like you were not even in the room ). SO sorry!

One time my family (extended family- Aunt's, Uncle's, etc ) were having one of their much due " Fall-Out's" ( on my Daddy's side ) SO.....
My Daddy & Aunt were having words on the phone & I was on the other line listening. She didn't know I was listening until she started to talk a/b my Moma ( & Dad but at least not behind his back + who knows what would have been said a/b me, if I hadn't BLEW UP )! lol

What made me EVEN MORE SO ANGRY was that all she had BAD to say a/b her ( my Moma ) was " You ( talking a/b my Daddy ) and you're SMILING WIFE " and that's when I flipped my shit !!! I told her if she brought her sorry ass over here ( which she was threatening), I was gonna STOMP IT! Whew-Whee, I was PISSED (my Moma is one of the nicest ppl you could ever meet- but can be a Fierce Beast if you mess w/ her ppl )! So anyway, when I offered the ass stompin she said " Oh NO! You're TOO CRAZY for me! " I told her yes, you're right, SO remember it & pass it on down to you're daughter's, etc! Wow, right! People are always like " She's Crazy " & it is SO ignorant. Yes I have showed my tail before, a cpl of times (but that's when I was self-medicating).

Uh, I'm sorry for dragging out my story to relate to you're post. I was just trying to help :) ! What I was getting at in a nut-shell is that family & friends ( ppl in general ) can be difficult ( even scared in a way ) when it comes to things they don't understand, etc. It can be (most time is) very hurtful BUT you know you, & that's all that really matters. Do stick up for yourself & NEVER let anyone steal you're joy. You define who you are.....not you're disease. Best of luck & sorry again a/b you're Aunt ( & my very long reply ) :) ! ! !