When I begin sliding into a depressive episode it is pretty clear to me as I notice my mood drop, sleep increase, thoughts darken and motivation disappear. Knowing what is happening helps me get to the pdoc earlier and start treatment. This does help most times but some times the depression is unmoved by medication changes, lifestyle changes etc and I just have to sit it out.

Mania or hypomania on the other hard is obvious to those around me but I either can not see it or just don't want to. Getting me to comply with treatment is more difficult as I am having too much fun, or am deluded. In the very early stages I can tell things are going off as I notice a reduced need for sleep, racing thoughts, increased motivation, agitation and euphoria. Sadly most times I ignore the warning signs as I love the feeling. Only when the agitation and irritability become unbearable do I ask for help. By then I am usually going into a mixed state and they are tough to get out of. I really am trying hard to nip hypomania in the bud now since I had a horrible psychotic manic episode late last year. Hopefully I will learn from my mistakes.