Btw, I'm not asking for a diagnosis or anything, I'm just curious about others experience with this disorder. A little background... I (21F) am diagnosed with bipolar disorder type 1. I've been diagnosed by several professionals since I was 18 after being hospitalized twice.

I was on medications for three years, trying over 10 medications to cope with my symptoms. I recently went off my meds in June (under my psychiatrists supervision and with permission) and I've been completely stable since then. No depression or mania. I brought up to my tdoc that I don't believe I have bipolar disorder. My intense moods don't match bipolar, and they aren't cyclical. I've been doing great off medication, and I only struggle with overreacting, anxiety, and impulsiveness, all of which I'm coping with well and managing, which is why I'm questioning whether I have a mental illness at all.

I've done TONS of therapy the past two years, including DBT, which has changed my life. I've worked hard in learning coping skills, and challenging my thoughts. I've always struggled with thinking in terms of all or nothing, so DBT has helped me rewire how I think.

My therapist mentioned she thinks I might have bpd, and that I'm possibly in recovery from it, and agrees that I might not have bipolar. She went through all of the diagnostic criteria, and all of the symptoms fit really well except for one, I don't struggle to keep or maintain relationships. I do great socially and I'm very good at communicating.

I have a lot of people in my life with bpd. My dad, my sister in law, and my ex best friend. They have all burned so many bridges with people, and I don't relate to that at all. I guess my question is, is it possible to have bpd and not struggle with relationships? That seems to be something everyone I know with bpd has in common. 

I'm not particularly worried about changing my diagnosis or anything. I think the only thing a diagnosis serves is to provide a course of treatment, as well as relief. I've worked hard in changing how I react to life's obstacles. At the same time, if I truly have bipolar disorder, than I'm just in a normal period, and being off meds I will eventually slip into depression or mania. If I'm not, and I have borderline, than I am in recovery and won't need medication, and the skills I've learned will continue to be useful in helping me cope with life.

I guess I just wanted to put my thoughts out there, and get some input on others experience with relationships and having bpd.

Thank you :)