I can't always tell because when I'm depressed I don't always "feel" depressed.

I ask myself how long this has been going on and if there is anything in life to enjoy. I mean, I can feel miserable but, if it has only been a few hours or a couple days, I don't worry I'm depressed. I also try to pinpoint the source of my negativity and question my thinking. If I can do that, I'm not really depressed.

If I'm just sad or having a period of blahs, I will still have hopes and plans for the future or at least be able to articulate some ideas to get things going.

And because ups and downs are to be expected in life, it is hard to know if it's going to be regular blahs or a bipolar disaster.

I just don't worry about it and deal with the day to day aspects. I don't believe medication helps that much, in fact I'm not convinced it does much at all except provide a distraction and what else is there? The down to earth day to day coping.