Depression is a symptom of both major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder—but the key difference is whether you’ve ever had mania or hypomania. If you’ve only experienced depression, you likely have MDD. If you’ve had even one manic or hypomanic episode, it’s bipolar.

Spotting Hidden Mania or Hypomania

Many people with bipolar disorder—especially bipolar II—mistake hypomania for “just feeling good.” Hypomania includes:

• Unusually high energy or confidence
• Needing less sleep but not feeling tired
• Racing thoughts or rapid speech
• Impulsive decisions (spending, sex, quitting jobs)
• Irritability or agitation

Unlike full mania, hypomania doesn’t cause severe impairment or psychosis—but it’s still a clear shift from your baseline. These episodes last at least 4 days (hypomania) or 7 days (mania).

If you’ve only had depressive episodes, with no elevated or irritable mood phases, it’s likely unipolar depression. But if antidepressants triggered agitation, insomnia, or reckless behavior, that could signal undiagnosed bipolar disorder.

Why It Matters

Treating bipolar depression like regular depression can backfire. Antidepressants alone may spark mania or rapid cycling. Proper diagnosis ensures you get mood stabilizers or atypical antipsychotics—safer, more effective options for bipolar.

Ask yourself:

• Have I ever felt “wired,” overly confident, or unusually productive for days?
• Did friends or family say I was acting “not like myself” in a high-energy way?
• Do my depressive episodes include agitation, racing thoughts, or irritability?

If any answer is yes, talk to a psychiatrist. Mood charts, family input, and detailed history help clarify the diagnosis.

Only a mental health professional can distinguish bipolar vs. depression accurately. But awareness of your full mood pattern is the first step toward the right treatment—and lasting stability.