Usually, episodes are easier to analyze in hindsight. Because of this, I want to be able to help myself and others discern hypomania/mania on onset. I am an extremely high self monitor, so this all really is interesting to me.

For me (BPII), it usually starts with short trains of though, vivid colors and walking fast. Not just fast walking, but i feel almost as if i am hydroplaning - floating on by with no real control over my body movements.

Eventually, i develop pressured speech, and literally can not sit still. I will feel like i need to go do something, but that something changes throughout the day until i am exactly where i started.

Sometimes i become very paranoid or even end up in an unresponsive stupor.

How do you discern you hypomania/mania?