For me, thinking back, I can think of very specific cases of euphoric mania that I had in my late teens and early twenties. In those times I felt extremely powerful. I was not defensive at all. It was more like I was completely unhinged.

I had that whole "life of the party" thing people discuss. I can see why, in looking back, a lot of people would do the whole "back away slowly while smiling" type of response to me. I was completely hyperactive during these phases. And, once I was home alone, it didn't stop. I could gladly bounce off the walls all by myself while talking to Other me and all the imaginary talk show interveiws, etc in my head.

My house had a wall down the middle. You could walk in a circle: living room > hallway > kitchen > dinning room > den > living room. I would walk around for hours and hours. It wasn't uncommon to do that for 2-3 hours at a time. Around and around. One time I walked in a circle for 6 hours talking to myself. I was home alone a lot, my dad worked evenings and I came home from school so he was alredy gone, so I could talk as loud as I want, sing, dance, skip, etc.

So, this is why for me, I don't believe it was defense.