This study estimated the proportion of patients attending an urban general medical practice with current major depression & a history of bipolar disorder & compared the history, presentation, & treatment of patients with unipolar & bipolar depression. A group of 1143 patients was assessed. Patients with bipolar depression were significantly more likely to report hallucinations, current suicide ideation, & low self-esteem than patients with unipolar depression. 21 of 173 patients with unipolar depression reported suicide ideation compared to 16 of 53 patients with bipolar depression. (38 refs)