My dx is both BP (mixed state, rapid cycling--of course! lol) and bpd. The bipolar dx is because I have had mania. And mania can be severe and extreme irritation that lasts for 4-10 days (or something like that). Mood charting helped a lot in sorting out what was what.

Also, I feel differently when one kind of episode or the other is kicking in. The bpd is a huge flash of feeling, overwhelming, with this tiny, nano-second of awareness?/choice?/fear of the ride that's coming? When it is bp, though, it is that I am in a different state of mind...I think differently---not a long way off mark, I'm still recognizable, but my choices aren't really.....

Does that help any?