It may vary with your field. I completed my PhD about five years before I had a manic episode and got diagnosed. Mine is in the biological sciences. In retrospect though I cycled through hypomania and depression since I was in my mid teens and was able to use hypomania to my advantage at times without realizing it. The depressions were bad; I have a tendency to go toward sui. Back then I never had a plan to do it but wished I would. We don’t seek help in my family so I ignored it as much as I could.

That said, here is my best advice. Grad students waste an enormous amount of time. The cliché of the grad student working 20 hour days is really self-inflicted. Treat it like a 8-5 job, avoid unnecessary chit chat, be productive during that time. I hate to say this but you’re there for an education not to make friends so don’t fall into time traps. If you need to, go home and read papers in the evening but don’t overdo it because you need rest. People may talk behind your back because you don’t appear to “work” as hard as they do but f them. Time management is key, plot your days out to keep on a schedule and get what you need done. There will be periods of tremendous stress and you need to mitigate that. My management techniques were very unhealthy (alcohol mainly but I never said no to any drug). Someone else will need to give you pointers on that, sorry.

If your manic episode was public, if your colleagues know and your major professor knows you have a slight advantage to doing what I said. BP is a disability and recognized as such. Universities are very serious about having accommodations and there will be severe repercussions if your major professor doesn’t follow through. That will help you mold it to an 8-5 job, or if you’re like me 6-3.

And most importantly: stay medicated.