For me, I can look back to my childhood and realize that something was wrong. I understand now that some of my behaviors were a result of csa, but others were signs of bpII. I would lay in a locked room in the dark room for hours in high school and college. I also was a big risk taker, not giving any thought to consequences. In my early years I SI'ed. I saw a t in college, but stopped that after a few visits. My behaviors then were thought to be the results of college freedom.
Finally, after I had my children I sought treatment. I only saw my gp and she treated me for depression, but I had to keep changing meds. When I ran out of options and went through a major depression, my gp insisted that I see a pdoc and suggested I see a t. This is when my dx changed, after all of the testing. It was just a year ago. Now my early life makes sense.