A big sign for me that I am getting manic is when I get obsessive or occasionally fanatical over something specific. Sometimes it's related to writing about a fantasy world that I create, and I get overly consumed by it to the point where I feel detached from reality. Other times, it's over a particular hobby, band, fandom, or (less commonly) through shopping.

It takes up too much time, energy, and sometimes money devoted to whatever it is I'm obsessing over. It's as if I always have to go to the extreme. I wish it were different, because I become so disconnected from not only my surroundings, but from people in general. Plus, eventually, I burn out, although sometimes I get overly attached to certain activities when depressed in order to provide me with comfort. Sometimes I feel odd as a result of this behavior and get embarrassed talking about it with my therapist.

Does anyone else relate to becoming overly involved in a certain activity during mania/hypomania/episodes?