How to Know if You Have Bipolar Disorder or Depression

Bipolar disorder and depression both involve periods of depression, which are characterized by low mood, lack of energy, and a loss of enjoyment in things previously enjoyed. However,  Bipolar disorder is different from depression because it includes periods of mania. During mania, people may feel very energetic, act impulsively, and experience intense happiness.

While both depression and bipolar disorder can be treated, their treatment differs. If someone has bipolar disorder and they’re being treated for depression, then their treatment might not be as effective as it could be. In this article, we’ll go over the major differences to help you understand how to know if you have bipolar disorder or depression.

Understanding Bipolar Disorder vs Depression

Bipolar disorder and depression are both mood disorders, and they both involve periods of low mood. The key difference between bipolar disorder and depression is that people with bipolar disorder have episodes of mania or hypomania.

What is Bipolar Disorder and How it Differs from Depression

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that is characterized by major shifts in mood and energy. These periods can last days, weeks, or months and make it difficult to keep up with your daily activities.

During manic phases, people with bipolar disorder experience feelings of elation or irritability, decrease sleep, and high energy. During depression phases, they might experience feelings like low energy, low mood, and a lack of interest in activities they once enjoyed. People with bipolar disorder can feel neutral at times. Some may also have episodes where they experience both mania and depression together.

Depression and bipolar disorder can cause similar symptoms, like low mood and low energy. However, bipolar disorder is different from depression because individuals with bipolar disorder also experience periods of mania. It’s important to note that mania isn’t always extreme. Some individuals experience hypomania, which doesn’t impact their ability to function as much as mania does and may be more difficult to identify.

Bipolar Disorder vs Depression Symptoms

Manic Episodes in Bipolar Disorder

Manic episodes can vary in duration. Some can last a week, and others can last for months. After a manic episode, you might not remember what you did, or you might feel embarrassed about your behavior. Because you’ve expended so much energy, it’s also common to feel tired after a manic episode.

Why Bipolar Disorder is Often Misdiagnosed as Depression

When mental health professionals see an individual with bipolar disorder, they often see them first for depression. This is because depression is usually the first symptom that people experience. Most people who have bipolar disorder also spend more time experiencing episodes of depression rather than episodes of mania.

Some people experience hypomania instead of mania. This means their symptoms are often missed because they don’t affect daily life as much. They might simply feel more productive or confident, so don’t report this to their doctor because they’re not seeing it as a problem. 

Recognizing Depression Symptoms

Depression is often thought of as sadness, but it can cause a range of physical and cognitive symptoms that can impact your daily life.

Physical and Cognitive Signs of Depression

Depression doesn’t just impact your mood and thoughts. The same neurotransmitters that are involved in regulating mood can affect your physical body. Physical signs of depression can include:

• Fatigue and low energy
• Stomachaches and headaches
• Changes in eating habits
• Loss of libido (sex drive)
• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
• Muscle aches or pains
• Digestive issues

Cognitive signs include:

• Feelings of sadness, guilt, emptiness, or hopelessness
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering things, or making decisions
• Loss of motivation
• Loss of interest in things once found enjoyable
• Low self-esteem
• Feeling easily irritated 
• Thoughts of death or harming yourself

How Depression Affects Daily Life and Relationships

Depression can impact your daily life. Because depression can come with fatigue, it can make it difficult to keep up with your daily responsibilities.

Difficulty concentrating and low motivation can mean that it takes more energy for you to do simple tasks. Depression can also impact your relationships. When you’re not enjoying things like you used to, socializing can seem more like an obligation than an enjoyable activity. Your mood can also make it so that you’re less likely to be emotionally vulnerable and connect with your loved ones. 

Recognizing Bipolar Symptoms

Using this signs of bipolar checklist can help you better understand how you’re feeling. While professional evaluation is needed for a diagnosis, understanding what you’re feeling can help you to better advocate for yourself.

Manic Episode Symptoms

Symptoms of mania include:

• Feeling extremely happy,  euphoric, or irritable
• High energy and little need for sleep
• Being more talkative than usual and talking more quickly
• Being easily distracted
• Increased movement, such as pacing
• Impulsive behavior
• Being overly focused on an activity
• Experiencing racing thoughts or jumping between different ideas
• Having an inflated sense of self-esteem
• Making grand plans that aren’t attainable
• Delusions or hallucinations (in more severe episodes of mania)

Hypomanic Symptoms

Hypomanic symptoms can be similar to manic symptoms, but they usually don’t impact your daily life the way that mania does. Symptoms of hypomania include:

• Feeling unusually happy or excited
• Increased energy
• Restlessness or irritability
• A heightened sense of self-esteem
• Racing thoughts and easily distracted
• Needing less sleep
• Unusually focused on goals, often at the expense of other activities and self-care
• Increased impulsivity

Depressive Episodes in Bipolar

Depressive episodes in bipolar disorder are similar to other types of depression. They last for at least two weeks and can impact your daily life. Some people will experience depressive symptoms when coming down from a manic period.

When to Seek Professional Help and What to Expect

Bipolar disorder can impact your daily life. However, treatment can help manage symptoms and bring more stability into your life. 

Warning Signs That Require Immediate Professional Attention

Many times, people visit a healthcare professional because they are experiencing symptoms of depression. However, there are times when you or someone you care about might be in a mental health crisis and need immediate help.

These include:

• Thoughts of suicide or self-harm: Thoughts of suicide and self-harm can be scary. If you or a loved one are in a life-threatening situation, call 911 or the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
• Psychosis: In some cases of severe mania, people experience psychosis. This means they can have delusions, or false beliefs, and hallucinations, which involve seeing or hearing things that aren’t real.
• Risky Behaviors: Mania may cause impulsivity. This can lead to risky behaviors, such as substance abuse, spending too much, or driving recklessly.  Because these can impact a person’s safety, immediate professional attention is required.

How Mental Health Professionals Diagnose Bipolar vs Depression

Because bipolar disorder also means that you experience mania, a mental health professional will want to learn more about the symptoms that you are experiencing. They’ll start by asking you about your history, if you’ve had any issues with mood in the past, and if you have any family history of mood disorders.

They might also use psychological questionnaires, asking you questions about your symptoms to help with evaluation. Finally, a mental health professional might ask you to chart your mood. This will include how you are feeling on a daily basis and how you are sleeping. This can help them uncover patterns in your mood.

Resources and Next Steps for Getting Help

While it might seem overwhelming to think that you might have bipolar disorder, it’s pretty common. About 4.4% of adults in the U.S. experience bipolar disorder in their lifetime. This means that there are many resources available to help treat symptoms.

Finding Qualified Mental Health Professionals

You can find mental health professionals who treat bipolar disorder in a few ways. One option is to visit your doctor. They can rule out any medical conditions that might be causing or contributing to your symptoms and refer you to a mental health professional. Other options for finding qualified mental health professionals include:

• Using an online directory, like the American Psychological Association’s Psychologist Locator
• Asking friends or family members for referrals
• Inquiring at your local mental health clinic or hospital
• Asking for recommendations from a bipolar disorder organization or support group, like the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

Finally, you can consider a virtual crisis clinic like Willow Health. This will allow you to see the same practitioners from your initial evaluation through your treatment. 

Preparing for Your First Mental Health Appointment

It’s normal to feel a bit anxious or nervous before your first mental health appointment. But, it’s an important and brave step in caring for yourself.

Before your appointment, you might want to do a little background research to determine if you have any family history of a mental health condition. You can also consider your past personal health history, including the names and doses of any medications that you might be on.

It’s also normal to have some questions. You might be wondering more about specific symptoms, what treatment options are, and how your mental health practitioner approaches care. Some people find that when they’re feeling anxious, it can be difficult to remember things. Writing down your questions ahead of time can help ensure that you ask what you’d like to and don’t forget anything.

Some people also find that mental health appointments can leave them feeling tired and drained. Because of this, it can be helpful to schedule some time for self-care after your appointment rather than jumping right back into your daily routine. This might be taking a walk in nature, reading a book, or talking to a friend.

Conclusion

Bipolar disorder and depression both involve times of feeling sad, tired, and not enjoying things you once loved. But bipolar disorder means that you also experience periods of mania or hypomania, where you have unusual amounts of energy, are easily distracted, and can engage in impulsive behaviors.

Both bipolar disorder and depression can be treated, but in slightly different ways. A mental health professional can help you understand your feelings better. They can also guide you to treatment options that help you feel more balanced. 

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2024, April). What are bipolar disorders? APA Patients & Families. Retrieved August 21, 2025, from https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/bipolar-disorders/what-are-bipolar-disorders

Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Mood Disorders: What They Are, Symptoms & Treatment. Health Library. Retrieved August 21, 2025, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17843-mood-disorders

Harvard Health Publishing. (2023, March 8). Bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness or manic depression?) Harvard Health A to Z. Retrieved August 21, 2025, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/bipolar-disorder-manic-depressive-illness-or-manic-depression-a-to-z

Mayo Clinic. (2024). Bipolar disorder. Mayo Clinic; Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355955

Mental Health America. (2024). Am I bipolar or just moody? MHA Screening. Retrieved August 21, 2025, from https://screening.mhanational.org/content/am-i-bipolar-or-just-moody/

‌National Institute of Mental Health. (2025). Bipolar disorder. Www.nimh.nih.gov; National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder

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