Dear nvaetoru
Since you know of the bipolar signs i would not go into them in detail. But usually patients with bipolar does not have a good insight when they are really ill. When you are in a high,

1. You will have an increased mood
2. You will have reduced need to sleep
3. You feel more energized
4. You will get more sexually active
5. You will spend more money than usual

If you have at least two of the above symptoms then you can assume that you are having symptoms of hypomania or high.


When you in a low
1. Mood will be depressed
2. Feel miserable and could not enjoy what you use to enjoy (e.g. Listening to music)
3. You might get low self esteem
4. Reduced appetite
5. Difficulty to fall asleep, even though you want to sleep
6. Feeling unusually guilty of what you have done
7. Getting suicidal ideas and feeling that life is not worth living

If you have more than three features then it could be due to depression. However, ideally all the above features must be assessed by a doctor. In addition, you are having a genetic predisposition for bipolar disorder and you may be in risk.

If above symptoms are damaging your life/welbeing of you and other people then you need to go and see a doctor. It is because bipolar disorder can be controlled with medications.

Hope this helps

The only way you can really know is to get a professional mental health evaluation.

I am bipolar, and I always know I'm getting manic when I start to feel really REALLY good, and I feel like I can do anything. I have major trouble sleeping, my thoughts are racing. I start a lot of projects(but don't usually finish them. This isn't as great as it sounds though, because you can become delusional or have hallucinations, especially if you don't get enough sleep.

Thnak you it does help.