Psychiatry isn't exactly the most scientific branch of medicine. I'm currently diagnosed Bipolar I, but I've also been diagnosed with Schizophrenia and a severe mood disorder, at the same time.

Diagnosis matters for billing and for guiding treatment. That's about it. I prefer the Bipolar I diagnosis because my current treatment works well for me, and Bipolar I is a less stigmatizing diagnosis than Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective.

There's a lot that goes into psychiatric diagnosis besides symptoms. There's some research that shows that minorities and poor people get diagnosed w/ psychotic disorders more often than white people and more affluent people, even when they present with similar symptoms.

Personally, I've found that the doctors who diagnosed me with "Schizophrenia" had a serious problem with me and looked down on me. The diagnosis was about labeling and control. My current doctor sees hope for me. Plus, my people take care of me now, and they're considered "genteel," where before they were more middle-class. See what I mean? Social class and social status affects diagnosis and treatment. If I were poor, I'd be on involuntary Haldol shots, no doubt.