Mine usually start with going overboard on a hobby or interest, as in spending a lot of money, staying up all hours researching, ignoring everything and everyone, and becoming impatient and irritable if anyone disturbs me. My mind races trying to figure things out and sometimes I’m not reacting to things like I used to. For example, any meds that are sedating have no effect on me when I’m manic. When I start getting tunnel vision and I can’t back out, I know I’m in trouble. Lack of sleep affects me too.