I don't have mania, just hypomania. Basically - I am always in control of my actions. I might go "Oh, I wouldn't normally do this... BUT I'm going to do it anyway!!!" and think that's a great idea. Sometimes I go "Oh.. I wouldn't normally do this.... BUT I want to.... BUT I'm not going to!". My impulses and urges are relatively tame (I might want to spend my money on XYZ, but I always have "big" things I want to save for, so I am good at resisting my larger tempations... or I will want to go out drinking a lot more often, but I only go out WITH people I know.... I also am more likely to go home for the night with a guy... but I only do that if someone I know knows who he is. Things like that.) I won't notice that I'm talking someone's ear off, usually blank stares will give it away eventually.

But basically - they can cause me little issues and some inconvenience, but mostly I find them beneficial for me. But they're a clear difference from my baseline and people do notice the change.

Mania, from what I've read, is rather less self-aware and is more capable of messing up your life on you.