A question.

So I have really rapid and extreme emotion changes throughout the day. But I don't have a "racing mind" or anything. Just a TON of thoughts. I also am EXTREMELY compulsive. I have suicidal thoughts and I struggle with self harm. One moment I love life and the next I want to end it.

But are these symptoms of bipolar disease?

"Racing mind" (they call it "racing thoughts" in the DSM-IV) is just one of the symptoms, it is not necessary for diagnosis. What you describe sounds like extreme rapid cycling bipolar illness, but only a good doctor can diagnose you - it takes at least an hour of history taking if not more.

Hi and welcome, babycds. Hamster-bamster is right in that there are a number of criteria (as for any dx) and not everyone dx'd is necessarily going to meet every single one. But it is also important to remember that having some crossover symtoms (with something else one has going on) does not mean one has the other thing as well. Fortunately, lol, because many have enough on their plate as it is(!) To make that clearer, most people can relate to some symptoms from any given disorder, and it can be easy to begin to worry one has everything, especially as one begins learning about psych stuff (there's actually a term for it it's so common). Wow, am I rambling... Anyhow, guess that's to say I hope you can find comfort in that. Lucky you to not have racing thoughts, they're not fun.

I took a peek on your page and saw borderline as number one on your mental health concerns. From what you describe here, BPD (borderline) does seem very accurate. I'm not a doc though. Looks like you've got your hands full with what you've got going on already as it is. On another thread you mention that your parents won't pay for help. Have you heard of DBT? I've heard great things about it helping in borderline, in fact that is what Marsha Linehan (who developed DBT) developed it for. There are books out there (including workbooks). To get one from the library to check out would be free of course (and if you find one you particularly like, go ahead and buy one --helluva lot less expensive than therapy, right? Massive understatement, lol). That would be a way for you to be proactive in helping yourself -- which it seems you are all about -- not only being a survivor, but in being an OVERCOMER! And kudos to you on that excellent attitude, btw!!
(And I'm assuming you meant "impulsive" instead of "compulsive" based on context.)

How do your symptoms affect your life? Is there 'significant impairment' in your functioning? That's one way to know if you have a disorder.

For example, my symptoms have destroyed relationships, caused much turmoil in my family life, prevented me from attending classes, and lost me a job. I also ran up my credit cards and did weird things like buy thousands of dollars of illegal drugs and had threesomes out of the blue.

This is helping a lot. Thank you. And yes, it is affecting my life. I ruin so many relationships and education and work. I'm just really trying to help myself for once.

Sounds like it could be borderline personality disorder.