Thanks for this thread. I haven't considered this before. I have been diagnosed with bipolar 1 but the last two hospitalisations I was admitted with hypomaniac or mixed episodes with psychotic features. I don 't think it has been described as manic, maybe it is as you say because of bp 1 diagnosis it doesn't need to be questioned further.maybe the boxes for mania aren't all ticked.
I do have mood fluctuations and sleep disturbances and do feel high at times that other people say they notice but am maintaining adequate sleep cycles at those times.
The last 2 times I was hospitalised I had been consumed by a quality management work system and a home management system for a couple of weeks but when unwell death spiritual themes took over
I was diagnosed at age 40 with bp where as when I was in my twenties it was schiophreniform psychosis, schizoaffective, pyschotic depression , schizophrenia ( unsure of order

I agree that writing may keep it from intensifying and I always appreciate the spiritual insights accessed.
It is frustrating at times but have to roll with it daily.