Diagnosis

I'm questioning if I have BPD as I match most of the "criteria" for diagnosis, but I'm concerned about misdiagnosis as it's sometimes confused for bipolar disorder or being on the spectrum of bipolar disorders. My mood swings don't last as long as those of a manic depressive as they fluctuate within the hours or in days compared to longer amounts of time. I'm trying to go back to my psychiatrist for untreated dysthymia, ODD, GAD, and what I've been told is manic depression. I hope then I can sort out and asses the borderline personality disorder and try psychotherapy.

Anyway, these are my questions for whoever wants to answer:
1.) How did you feel and what did you think when you were diagnosed?
2.) Were you aware of it before the diagnosis?
3.) How do you go about treating it? (your personal coping methods- I find it hard to deal with my fear of abandonment and will only start to relax after reassurance from those I "feel" detached from.)

Thanks