I understand your self-analysis problem. I do the same. Unfortunately, my mania isn't pleasant. I am angry, easy to irritate, and sometimes completely off the wall with my comments and actions. Some days I have minor bouts of these behaviors, but it ends up just being me in an irritable mood-not pleasant, but not manic.
Oddly enough, I can usually analyze my moods by the actions of my son. Since he is growing, when his mood stabilizer needs to be increased we all have to put up with his wrath, and I know it is appointment time. If I see these same traits in me, I know it is time for my own appointment.
Bluemountains