Hi strangebotwin,

Welcome to Psych Central. I have a similar story, as I have been misdiagnosed with Bipolar for 10 years before getting the right diagnosis. I self-diagnosed 10 years ago but none of my pdocs or Ts believed me, so I ended up thinking I didn't really have BPD in the end. I've been diagnosed with it only some months ago, and I feel quite relieved.

You won't be alienated here, you will find many similar people.