For me I don't know at first. If I keep some of the depressed feeling and become irritable and agitated then I am going into a mixed episode. If the feelings lift and start feeling like my old self again and stay there I know I am stabilizing. If I start feeling better then normal then I know I may be going manic or mixed. I have to give it a little time to see what happens but I pay very close attention to see if I have any of my early warning signs. Those are the best clues for me as to what is happening.