There are different cycling patterns in Bipolar Disorder. The most common is to have a stable period of relatively "normal" mood in between an episode of depression and hypomania/mania. However, in some variants there may be no period of stability in a mood cycle and this can sometimes vary - it might not be the same with every cycle you experience.

Outside factors can also facilitate a shift straight through from depression into hypomania or mania - medication, emotional experiences, recent successes etc.