The depressive phase of BP & MDD have the same diagnostic symptoms in the DSM. From what I understand BP depression has more atypical symptoms like hypersomnia & overeating, MDD has more insomnia & weight loss, could just be because there are more females dx with BP(2) & females are more likely to have atypical features. BP depression can be mixed therefore likely to be an agitated type of depression, but so can MDD, there is such a thing as agitated depression, actually now I think there's even a mixed features specifier for MDD. How the hell anyone tells what's what, I have NO idea. I think they may all be full of **** & categorising mental illness may be just something we do that doesn't really help us because the healthcare provider generates their dx based on their own experiences with patients & it's all opinion based. It all depends on the Dr/Psychologist interprets things.