I was lucky enough to be diagnosed correctly, but have read many
horror stories of misdiagnoses. The similarities you see between you
and your dad could just be behaviors you "learned" from him or they
could be BP hiding under the covers. It's totally understandable to be
nervous about the genetic connection. The best advice I have is to get
online and do some research. Agoraphobia should be less of an issue
for you now what with the Internet and all than it would have been
fifty years ago (I can sit in my basement for days and still feel
totally productive).
There are all sorts of new mood stabilizers out there that are worth a
shot. As hard as it is, you have to be your strongest advocate. Gather
as much information as you can and then tell the doctors why you
disagree with them. If they don't listen, time for new docs.
read all you can find on medications-find a doctor you think will
listen.you have to save your own life it seems sometimes-good luck-
harry