i dont think its so much that you gauge it on happiness than on elation. that would be happiness with that touch of euphoria that anika was talking about. a little overly happy, giddy even. anika mentions not recognizing being manic until its too late. that is how it is for me. im not known as a generally happy person but not as unhappy either. just neutral i guess. but once i was teaching class with an intern and we were chatting before class began and i was a little chattier than normal and the intern commented that my mood was "stellar". right then, im like "oh f***, im manic". it definately is stealth about creeping up on you.