I don't tell people where I am mentally or emotionally very often. They can tell on their own based on my behaviour or whatever it is I'm talking about, or, they don't need to know.

Although in contrast to you, I think that there is a LOT I can do when I start to notice that I'm in an up or a down. I can in fact reduce the amount of depression or hypomania I will feel if I catch it early enough. I'm not totally helpless with it. Not if I notice it early enough. It can mean the difference between a suicidal-feeling depression and just a really teary one. It can mean the difference between a hyper hypo where I never sleep and party as much as I can, or a hypo where I might not sleep much but at least am resting and still make somewhat more responsible choices.