that's a good answer sqrl - the way you describe the beforeness of hypo irritability is useful. when i'm going toward mixed state the first thing i know to pick myself up on is the irritability, because it feels so different. i get annoyed at stuff all the time and frustrated and stuff but when i'm going it is more like - there's nothing to be annoyed at, it's just there, and honestly, the kettle taking longer than 30 seconds to boil will bug me, the sun coming up in the morning will bug me and i start getting completely irate at things that (a) i have no control over and (b) aren't even that annoying, just normal. so i guess in this sense it's a bit like becka's - in that it's a great warning sign. my mood fluctuates all the time but if i get that irritable feeling then i know something's happening *up there*

sorry if that was a bit random btw...