You may wonder if you really have bipolar disorder or not.  Many people who have been diagnosed with the disorder question if perhaps they might have another diagnosis instead and merely have been misdiagnosed as having bipolar disorder.

There are other disorders that can be mistaken for bipolar disorder, such as:

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Adults with ADHD still have the energy that children with the disorder have – that of running as if by some unforeseen motor.

When manifested in adults, this hyperactivity can mimic the mania seen in bipolar disorder.  However, in bipolar disorder, the mania will not go away "in spurts" as it will in people with ADHD, who will generally run down at the end of the day.

Manic episodes can run from days to weeks (even to months).

Major Depression

Major depression is very commonly mistaken for bipolar disorder, as both include depression.  However, in bipolar disorder, depression is only half the equation, with mania being the other half. 

With bipolar depression, the depression will usually not respond simply to the antidepressants that will usually help someone with major depression.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Bipolar disorder is commonly mistaken for borderline personality disorder (BPD), due to common symptoms of both disorders – specifically, the mood swings.

However, it is possible to have both disorders at the same time.

If you believe that you have one of these other disorders instead of (or in addition to) bipolar disorder, please seek professional help.