My doctor also told me that in over half his bipolar patients without BPD, a traumatic childhood was present. I've also been told on this board that certain behaviors are not bipolar related and are character flaws or BPD and my doctor confirmed that what I was told was false and that my behaviors were directly related to bipolar. The illnesses are pretty similar but I would recommend reading some BPD forums and Bipolar forums and see what resonates. They say to try not and diagnose yourself (leave that to the trained professionals) but I think reading both forums will enlighten you and offer good food for thought. Get more than 1 or 2 opinions and be as open as possible, even about the embarrassing stuff. I worry I have schizoeffective or schizophrenia in addition to or in place of BIPOLAR. I now also believe the doctor who said PTSD was correct. I just realized a few months ago that I had been actively delusional about something for over 3 years. My diagnosis may change but my medication and treatment likely won't. My paternal Grandmother had schizophrenia and so did her brother. My brother might as well or it could be drug damage. He was a heavy abuser of various mild altering substances and a dealer so he had access to large quantities on the regular. My brother just seems to live with his symptoms and not seek treatment that I'm aware of.

The most important part is treating the symptoms effectively and not the diagnosis. But having a diagnosis you agree with and can focus and learn from definately has its benefits. I hope you get good treatment