Drinking and drug abuse in general are so widespread in the bipolar population that some doctors feel that almost everyone has them, and if a patient denies having addictions, doctors first suspect that the patient is too embarrassed to admit. I agree with MM: be forceful, explain in very clear terms that your manic symptoms are a,b,c and not x,y,z, however common x,y,z might be in the population in general. Also, do tell your providers about the crime perpetrated by your dad: this is a piece of your history that they most definitely need to be aware of.

Also, you might have had a comorbid eating disorder and you might benefit from finding someone who specializes in treating EDs. They are a whole area of their own. Not every shrink understands them.