If one has never thought of oneself to be ill, how would they ever know the difference between normal and hypomania?

I've always thought of my high aspirations and huge goal-oriented dreams / plans to obtain high achievements were just normal for me. Actually, until recently, I have spent a fair amount of time looking down on others who don't share that sort of energy and drive that I have.

But now I'm thinking, what if all that is just the result of hypomania? How would I have ever known that my expectations and aspirations for myself are not normal?

Now that I look back on it, I can see that it would definitely fluctuate. I'd have grand plans to write several books that would take the industry (software development) by storm. And then I'd fizzle and become apathetic. What's really hard is when you do commit to something and then you have to fight against your lower times to finish it, for me that would be my master's degree. I suppose it could also be taking on a job that's too much work or responsibility, but when hypo-manic, you feel so up to it.

Man, I have to have BP. I don't care what the pdoc says.