Was I misdiagnosed. Need opinions

I was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and ADHD...I never really felt like this was correct. I have the following traits and to me it seems like Borderline. I'm not really sure so I was hoping to hear if anyone else has felt these things:

1. Feeling fine but then something triggers an anxiety attack or a fit of anger...mood changes within seconds. Feels like my face is tingling and heating up.
2. Quick to be angry and impatient
3. Mind wanders when someone is talking to me...lots of daydreaming
4. Extremely obsessive about a romantic relationship...currently being rejected by someone. Mood changes from being very hurt and crying to anger. I have only been out with this person a couple times but I am still obsessing even though i don't even like them that much.
5. Anxious where I don't want to be out but I also don't want to stay put.
6. Being fidgety and unable to concentrate
7. feelings of being overwhelmed
8. impulsive and destructive behavior like drinking and cutting
9. unable to make decisions
10. over analyzing every little thing. example: is this person mad at me? have I done something wrong? constantly replaying conversations to figure out why someone had a tone that I think is off
11. constantly biting my nails and sometimes hand wringing
12. restless sleep

The obsessive behavior with friends and relationships seems to preoccupy me the most and is what is currently bothering me. I fear that in an attempt to control situations, I manipulate to get people to act/do what I want. I assume things and jump to the worst conclusion. Like if someone isn't in touch with me they must be doing something bad.

I know there are more things but this is what I can think of. Any thoughts?

Well, I wouldnt' have thought bipolar from just reading those symptoms, but I ain't a doctor. You mentioned that something 'triggers' your anger/anxiety too, but in bipolar the pesron generally doesn't seem to know what triggers the low periods of mood. What are these triggers anyway?

Was Borderline ever mentioned when you were seeing the doctor? Borderline isn't as commonly heard of as ADHD and bipolar, and - in a doctor's eyes - it's safer to diagnose a pesron with these more common/well-known disorders. I'm sure you can see that point of view. In psychiatry, I have come to realise that it is sometimes the patient's responsibility to do the work and to figure out what is wrong. I went to my doctor and was diagnosed with depression, OCD, and anxiety - I later relayed back to my doc and therapist that I think I have Asperger's Syndrome; and they agreed. So, I encourage you to do the same: Go back to your doctor and discuss Borderline PD and how you feel it relates to you. More importantly, how you feel a diagnosis of Borderline would be better for your future.

Kevin

Thejan, I agree with Chucky's suggestion that you go back to your doctor or therapist and ask about BPD. The event-triggered mood changes you mention are characteristic of BPD. Such events can be a casual comment, a changed tone of voice, or a glance. With that disorder, it is very common for the mood to dramatically change in 15 seconds and the change (e.g., anger or rage) typically lasts from 5 to 36 hours. If I remember correctly, roughly a third of BPDs also have bipolar disorder.

The mood swings caused by bipolar are much different. They come on slowly, last for several weeks, and may only occur once or twice a year. If they occur as much as four times a year, they are considered "rapid cycling." Another big difference is that they are triggered by gradual changes in body chemistry, not by events.

BPD sufferers can exhibit wide differences in behavior because they have varying degrees and combinations of the nine BPD traits. Also, they usually have another disorder such as bipolar or HPD or NPD. Their are certain core characteristics that must be present, however, for it to be called BPD, because the disorder causes the twin fears of abandonment and intimacy.

You mention a fear of abandonment (i.e., "rejection") but do not say anything specific about intimacy being a problem. During intimate moments, BPDs feel engulfed by their partners' strong personalities. Because BPDs fear both of those things, they tend to push their partners away after intimacy and then start fearing abandonment as they watch him back off -- at which point they may try pulling him back in. You don't say that you have trouble handling intimacy but perhaps you are referring to it indirectly. Is what you mean when you say you easily get overwhelmed?

Think DC and kevin made valid points.

my 1/2 of 1 cent.

It would def. be worth while to bring it up with your therapist. Like DC has been known to say, we all suffer from all of these things at different points in our lives. Much of it due to us not being paying enough attention to ourselves in a healthy way. When all the external variables stack up it can break us down, regardless how strong, perfect, intelligent, amazing you are... when you have a load of them stacked up it gets overwhelming and I am not sure a precise diagnosis will do much. You are either extremely self aware or you are searching to put yourself into a box (or several) so you can make sense of it all. If you have those feelings etc...I would just remain focused on your awareness. It is hard enough to get through a day but when your plate is stacked that high with that kind of chaos it almost seems impossible. But alas you push on.

The emotional dysregulation/dysfunction surfaces in all kinds of ways. Rage, anger, pushes into the dissociation all kinds of murky, dark corners of life. I do personally feel after monitoring/observing/being on the other side/ and discussing it with a few professionals...sure it could be BPD in the mix. The fear of abandonment thing is major. The rapidity in which the mood shifts occur is also key in my opinion. The splitting (black/white) valuation/devaluation thing should be pretty easy to recognize as well, at least as an outsider when i was around it I picked up on it. I would try and avoid the substance abuse thing best you can due to the impact on your mind/body which can result in even greater physical harm. Trying does count in that arena. Impulse control is a beast when all you want to do is escape but there are other ways to escape...showers are useful.

Just be good to yourself and feel good about the fact you are reaching out and taking a proactive approach to it and not being all sour, bitter and or hopeless. Keep pushing on, If I were in your shoes I would try and "let go" of the person in your life you are obsessing about even if you have to "split" them to get them out. Focus on you. If you focus on you that will accomplish the greatest good.

Study up on CBT/DBT stuff, might help you become even more self aware and learn to cope/wrestle/conquer some of it on your own. Not saying don't get help or don't reach out, just saying the more you accomplish on your own whether it be research or growth it has a bit more staying power, it is YOUR LIFE. Do the best you can. Don't try and box yourself in, humans are complex and we change every day, a box from yesterday may not fit tomorrow. Keep on the path.

maybe something here, maybe not. but we take time to try and support in our own ways right...

Not sure how helpful this could be, since I've not been diagnosed with anything in the past, oh 10 years or so, but I was originally diagnosed bipolar II and ADD. I think the ADD diagnosis was right, but I spent 15 years trying to make the bipolar diagnosis fit, and it just never did.

Do your own research and bring it up with your therapist. Doctors are neither omniscient nor infallible, although some seem to think they are. There are things they may not know or immediately recognize, because there's something else they understand better that's handy. Doesn't make them right. Doesn't even make them a bad doctor. If you're really curious, and looking for something to back up your suggestions, there are several online tests you can take. Take those results to your therapist and bring up your concerns. If/when I find another therapist, I will be doing the same.

This was extremely helpful to me.I definitely have things to talk with my doctor about. I think if I have a name to put on how I'm feeling, it will help me feel more in control and able to talk myself down when I have an episode of paranoia and anxiety. And you're right, you know your own body and you know when something isn't quite right. It is a comfort to know that there are other people feeling the same way I am. Thank you again everyone!

I wish you the best of luck with that, thejanwho. Don't forget to engage in a two-sided conversation with your doctor when you go back. i mean, do'nt just let him/her TELL you what is wrong with you. you tell him/hjer what you think is wrong with you too. If you aren't happy with something that is said, then speak up. I think doctors appreciate that. Imagine how hard it is for them to diagnose someone correctly if the person doesn't engage in conversation with them? It's your money and your life, and these are things you must be reminded of too.

Kevin

JMO, but I would not bring up borderline. Many diagnosticians will then say, "Oh! Sure. Borderline." It's very tricky to diagnose psychiatric problems. Some doctors are just happy to let you do your own diagnosing. As one who never did get diagnosed with bpd, but who has it, I totally believe that the type of treatment you receive, and how seriously you try to improve, is far more important than the diagnosis. You know what you need to work on and that's what your therapist should help you do.