I pretty much notice mania when I get a rising mood or have an irritable blowup Depression is sneaky, I only notice it when I've done nothing at work or home for 3 days, or I totally can't concentrate. It has to get bad to be noticed! I'm sure there's a gradual change somewhere in there for both but am either in denial or I lack insight. Basically, the s*** has to be a bit past halfway toward the fan for me to notice a mania and all over everything for me to notice a depression.