I was diagnosed as Bipolar 1 back in August 2015 and I really struggle with the diagnosis. Part of me thinks this diagnosis is completely wrong and that I'm on the totally wrong medication.

Backstory:
In May 2013, I was diagnosed with ADHD and depression (no depressive disorder, just depression). I feel that diagnosis is correct because it makes sense to me: I struggle with concentration, attention, etc. and sometimes I'm depressed.

Although I was diagnosed in 2013, I didn't seek help until July 2015. Around then is when I was diagnosed as Bipolar 1. I basically mentioned to my psychiatrist that I sometimes have depression and that I sometimes feel very hyper. I also mentioned that I had sleep issues (e.g., sometimes I could get away with 3-4 hours of sleep every night without feeling tired... but eventually I would "crash" and sleep a lot). I was given an antidepressant to try (Lexapro, an SSRI) and I felt "very good" on it. (I basically felt very happy and excited.) I got about 5-6 hours of sleep a night while on it.

When my therapist saw the diagnosis, she vehemently disagreed with it. She believed that I had ADHD and that was it. "Bipolar?!" she exclaimed. "You don't seem bipolar to me. I think you have ADHD" -- and this was after seeing her for about 2 months. (Unfortunately, she moved away to work somewhere else, so she's no longer my therapist.)

I sought a 3rd opinion when I went to do a neuropsych eval for ADHD. The psychologist said I had Bipolar 1 disorder, NOT ADHD... which was funny because the psychologist said I had attention and executive functioning deficits... but she attributed that to being bipolar! (And yes, the psychologist knew beforehand that I was diagnosed as bipolar... so I feel it swayed her opinion.)

I don't get it because I don't recall ever having a manic or hypomanic episode. Can mania be subtle? I don't have hallucinations or delusions, and I don't recall engaging in reckless behavior...? I'm a fairly introverted person.

Thanks for reading.