My manic episodes are also mostly anxiety and irritability. At different points in my life I've handled it in different ways - shopping, cutting, sex, dangerous thrills. Now I handle it by running. I tell people that running is a lot like cutting - it's painful, it's hard on your body, people think you're crazy for doing it. The upside is that it's healthy, socially acceptable and there are actually competitions to see who's the craziest.

Right not my medication cocktail is paxil, wellbutrin and clonopin as needed. I use to take the clonopin all the time, but the running has really helped. I also use mindfulness breathing when I start to spin and feel manic. It slows me down enough to say "okay, you're manic right now. What can you do that's healthy?" Then I usually run. Unless it's the middle of the night and then I clean the house. Occassionaly it's back to cutting or trying the rubber band snapping trick.

I had a hard time accepting the diagnosis, but the more I learn about bipolar II, the more I know it's the right diagnosis. I haven't been able to take lamictal or abilify b/c I have ulcerative colitis and they gave me recurrences. The antidepressants help to combat the severe lows of bipolar II and the colitis.
I took risperidol for a while, but all I did was sleep. I could never build up a tolerance. Seriously slept all the time on that stuff.

We all react differently to medication and everyone usuallly has slightly different cocktail, but once you find what works try not to mess with it. Doctors are super trendy and always want to switch you to the latest and greatest drug, but don't let them. Stick with what works.

Best