I was first misdiagnosed as schizo-effective after my first manic episode which occurred in the Marines. I then journaled my moods / thinking as it impacted my ability to do college course work and work full time. After about 2 years I realized my depression in the fall happened over the same months and was severe and I dropped classes wear my spring moths were over achieving. Ie. Making all A”s and not having to take the final because I already had an A average in tests without it. I was diagnosed Bipolar after bringing up all I found and then had another Mania in May. Over the last 30 years now I have had many spring manias and only 2 in August that were brought on by antidepressants. I have depression anxiety etc every fall/ early winter. My diagnosis now and for many years is Bipolar 1 with a seasonal pattern. So maybe initial diagnosis’s can be inaccurate in the long run but may help to identify a group of symptoms and treat them til further evidence surfaces. I have been seen by the number 2 leading bipolar Dr in the nation and by Harvard Drs and have 30 years of medical records to show my diagnosis now is accurate as well as the lithium etc I take improved my condition significantly. So I believe maybe the diagnosis could be over diagnosed but it could help treat current symptoms til other evidence surfaced imo