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I think it's a good thing that your doctor didn't jump to a BP or BPD diagnosis, it's a good sign --these things take some time to figure out and one visit just isn't going to do it.
It does sound like your 'ups' are far more short-lived than what would be typical of bipolar. Milder forms of bipolar do not mean that episodes last for a less amount of time, it just means that the moods themselves are milder. Even 'rapid cycling' only refers to having 4 or more episodes a year, and in this case as well, moods will last at the very least for a few days, though usually longer.
It might be a good idea to keep a mood log. Jot down your moods, how long they last, and also what triggers them (what makes you become sad, irritable, happy). This might help you with your pdoc appointment.
Accurate diagnosis is so important. Not only is it important to get the kind of treatment that will actually help you, but it's certainly not a good idea to take meds that may not help, with all of the short and long-term side effects. If you don't truly need mood stabilizers (i.e. if your ups are not turning your life upside down and inside out) then why suffer all the horrible downsides of them -the side effects, etc.?
I wish you luck with the psychiatrist. They are the experts in diagnosis. Most of all, I hope that you will be able to pull out of this down time --have you considered therapy? Best of luck.
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