I agree with confused. I also suggest a plain old list of bipolar behaviors. Ask around for the things we do/feel when we are hypo/manic/depressed. We can probably give you a nice long list. This will give you something to refer to if you are in doubt about your mood.

For example, when I am hypo, I tend to bump into things a lot because I am moving too fast to pay close attention to my surroundings. I tend to do physical activities that are beyond my normal arthritis limits, like rearranging my room and dancing in the living room. I sing loudly around the house (Seriously off key and out of tune...). I skip meals, or just eat what pleases me (ice cream, etc.)

When I am depressed I sleep more hours than I normally need. I eat more junk food (ice cream, again) I think about how useless a person I am, and what a burden I am on my family. I play my computer game non-stop when I am awake (hide from the world), I don't shower as much, or do any housecleaning at all. And most of all, I cannot tie it to any event that would make me feel that depressed. No one has died, it's not winter, I'm not overworked, overwhelmed, or fighting with someone I love. And the intensity of the feelings, as you mentioned, are much more severe.