K13,
Whether to divulge or not divulge and how much to divulge and when to divulge is obviously your choice. I wouldn't think of it globally though. I would consider each individual and their ability to play a supportive role in your recovery, empathize and encourage and respect you in that it is yours to share; not theirs. I hope there are people in your life who can be those things for you. I know it took a long time (in my mind) for my son to come around. He didn't understand how I could laugh at somethng and be depressed. There are alot of confusing things to bystanders but I have been surprised to learn the number of people who are also diagnosed and receiving treatment for Major Depression or BiPolar Disorder. I know one of the moderators have quoted some astonishing stats on the number of people effected by this type of mental illness.
If you do decide to tell someone be prepared to educate. It is often that people think we can just shake it off, it's just a stage (I hear that one and I'm 48 years old), many stigma's. I ran into a fellow tonight I went to high school(graduated 30 years ago) with and he proceeded to tell me about his ex girlfriend and how crazy she was....I listened to him rant and rave about her diagnosis of MDD, how it is ALWAYS inherited (not true) and how she works in a profession in which she carries a gun....he listed meds she was taking, and how this should impact her being able to have a job like this, blah blah, etc. After he got through and I had been nodding my head through his entire spewing....I said I can so relate to her, I have the same diagnosis, I have a concealed deadly weapon permit, I work in the human service field. lol, the look on his face - priceless!!!! He was embarassed and rightfully so. I probably wouldn't have divulged the information to him and I did overdramatize a tad bit (I felt warranted due to his attitude), but those are the attitudes that need to be dispelled. We can be educated, hold jobs, etc. I firmly believe this: ATTITUDE is the real disability. I'm not referring to our attitude.
lol, I'll get off my soapbox, glad to hear you like some of my ideas. Congrats on the upcoming graduation - it's an accomplishment of which you should be very very proud. If you have to go another semester - it's okay!
Keep working on your project - it's a great topic ;)