Hi!

As an ultradian cycler with dysphoric mania and mixed states, I don't have euphoria or "elevated moods" as one would normally think of as "mania." I'm actually not sure if I was ever classified as hypomania or mania because I'm Bipolar NOS. I'll get there eventually.

But, since I'm both manic and depressive at the same pretty much all the time.... here is how I know when I'm "more manic" as I call it.

1) Racing thoughts increase and easily become obsessive thoughts.

2) Pressured speach increases and I talk too fast but also talk over people, can't shut up, and talk to myself constnatly if I have no one else to talk to.

3) Can't focus on doing one thing. Example: play a game, watch a show, look up things online all at the same time, and still feel like I should be doing more.

4) Jumping from one activity to another and getting very bored very fast.

5) Increased sense of value. "I am so smart! I'm smarter than all of those people! I'm amazing, in fact! I'm going to get like 10,000 views on this post I just wrote!" (With a crash later when my awesomness doesn't quite pan out!)

6) Irritable and sensitive to stimulations such as noise and motion around me. I get very snappy and snippy.

7) Anger level more likely to go into explosive mode.

I don't recommend walking around in dysphoria like me. Not all mania is euphoric. Also, I'm very good at hiding my moods, too. Because I feel there is no point to sharing with people who don't care and won't help. So, I'm a mood ninja, really.

When my mania is less dysphoric, I tend to take on the world. I'll start a lot of projects at the same time. A good example of this is my wirting. If my stories are progressing, you can bet on it that I'm in a lighter manic state and not the heavy dysphoria. That's one thing I've learned. But, it's no sustainable.