It does take time. The last and only time I was truly manic I did not recognize it, nor did my therapist. I ended up hospitalized. Now I know what to look for.

My moods tend to be situational. Like 2 years ago when my dog died, I fell into a deep depression for a month. It was horrible. I would just stare at the wall and cry.

When I was manic that one time, I didn't sleep, was loud, rude, obnoxious, vulgar, obsessive with getting back at people who had hurt me, etc.

But normally, my depression only lasts about a week, mania even less. I used to time my chores around my moods, lay on the couch for a week and then get everything done on my manic days. It worked for me.

I have done all the typical manic things though, like overspending and picking up guys in bars. I have a real handle on that now. It just takes time to get to know yourself, know your triggers, how to head them off, and how to diffuse things.

I still struggle with the money issue. Whenever I feel like I can't pay my bills I panic, obssess and get depressed. I have to talk myself out of it and realize that everything will be okay. Nothing is going to get shut off, I'm not getting evicted and I have food on the table and gas in the car. It's that old stinking thinking that I am very aware of now and can nip in the bud. Therapy helps too.