The more episodes you have, the more familiar you become with how mania/hypomania manifests for you. But risky behavior is a big one...I always get the urge to use drugs or smoke cigarettes (I don't smoke). My driving also becomes erratic and I turn the music up all the way. These are the things that are easiest for me to notice in myself. Other people get hypersexual, that would probably be pretty easy to spot too. Is there a support group near you?