Bipolar or Just Depression? Seeking Advice

If you are bipolar and have or know someone with depression, what are the main differences for you? My therapists and psychologists in the past have brought up me possibly being bipolar rather than just having depression but we never really looked into it and I'm wondering if it would change how my drs and I think about meds. My husband thinks it's bipolar because he has seen the major lows and major highs. He points out to me when he thinks I'm sinking into depression or when he thinks I'm having manic episodes. It's super helpful and I'm really grateful for him for it. I choped off about 7 inches of my hair today and he talked me down from my "manic high" to bring me back to a normal. Is it worth talking to my doc or is this just common for depression?