As much as I hate the after effects of mania, I prefer the feeling of being way up than way down. I do not want to glorify my manias, but sometimes I cannot help but grieve certain aspects of them when I no longer feel that way. Example: I miss my confidence, excitement over so many ideas, the euphoric high....

As far as mixed episodes though, I'd choose to be "low" with regular depression than mixed mania any day, although they are both terrible.