It's really hard to recognize it sometimes, especially if the diagnosis is bipolar II. If you think about it, this is something that you have probably had to live with for most your life. You have learned to compensate, and you might not even remember life without it, so there might not be any reference. Now, Bipolar I can have debilitating manic episodes, but bipolar II can have times where they are much more productive. It's different for everyone, but maybe you can see where there are times when you felt like nothing could stop you? Where you started, or wanted to, a lot of different plans and had a lot of ideas and you really had to hang on to get them all done. Hyper focused on projects, even to the extent where they became more important than work and other responsibilities. Almost obsessive over them. Making lists is another one. Making them about everything. Almost like a moment of clarity, where you could see everything so clear. Much more clearly than you had before, and start listing out everything! Maybe the plans are pretty far out there, definitely plans you could never stick with long term. Hypo mania can feel really good.

Do you ever find that when you feel really good, like the best you have felt in a long time, is when you get into the most trouble? Like you know you have to monitor it, maybe even become wary of it? Does it ever turn into anger? Like everyone is holding you back? Like your emotional needs are not being met?

Those are some ways of how hypo mania feels. I hope you can figure it out! Just remember, you don't have to go into a psychosis state, or have a hollywood style manic episode to have mania. It's different for everyone!