I have just been diagnosed with?!

So very sorry to hear this Peter and that is so very sad how they have reacted to this.

All the best mate.

By the way - the person that runs our rottie rescue lives in Keston - must of been just round the corner to you.

Whenever something scary or something which changes the way your life goes happens people panic. People don't know how to behave or what to do, and often will want to just back out and be uninvolved rather than to stick it out and be supportive. They're afraid of what they don't know. Often, people just don't know what to do, your sister is probably unsure how to be around you, or unsure about how your illness affects you. It isn't really fair on you so why don't you email or talk to her? Just explain a little about your illness and that your still the same person, I'm sure she'll understand. Good luck xx

Sadly, my friend, that's down to their own ignorance. They're frightened of what they don't know.

If they were to find out more about mental health issues ... particularly bipolar disorder ... and see that they are just as likely to develop one themselves, they MAY not be as unforgiving as they appear to be.

Well I am so sorry for the ignorance of you family but I can relate. My family is just as messed up. They don't want to admit that I have the illness but yet question why I am acting the way I am.
You should ask them how would they like it if that was them and you did not want anything to do with them. Also tell them that if they want to see you better then they need to be around.
This is a bad illness but you can fight it and do it for you. We all have our good days and bad days so on them bad days avoid being around them. It sound like they are just afraid of it. I don't have a lot of friends because of my illness but that's ok. I am a good person and if they don't understand that they are missing out on a great person it is their loss.
Also find something about them that you don't like and point it out to them. They might see that just cause they are not so perfect. Then point out that you still love them even though they do something that you don't like.

Because they are tossers. If they've dumped you this easily because you have a medical issue, you don't need them. Some families are like that. Make new friends and move on, don't give them the satisfaction of trying with them.

Tell them,

" I'm No different than another human being. I can still live a life with a Mental Health Issue."

Seize The Day.

-Jake