When I get that way, my husband micromanages me. He takes charge of the finances, tries to make me feel sexy for him rather than walking through stores thinking every man there wants me and I just ooze sex; he tries to get me out of the shower within a half an hour (I had a bizarre shower experience but that is for another day). He tries very needlessly to get me in bed at a reasonable time but of course even going to bed won't shut off my brain when I am manic. He takes my keys at night so I can't run off. He takes every precautionary that he possibly can.

That said, and to answer your question, I bounce my thoughts off someone in my life (for instance a therapist if you aren't comfortable with anyone else). They can tell me if I am just a bit off or if my thoughts are delusions.

What you said, that sleep is important, is right on. It is without sleep that I find myself most manic, even while taking meds.