How do I know if I'm coming out of depression vs. being manic?

[alittlebitofrandom]

After finals about a month ago I just started to be so carefree.  So much that I just don't care about my school work.  Like when I was depressed but it doesn't stress me out.  I also feel like I want to go out all the time to the bar or club.  I have spent all of the money I have earned within a week of earning it.  It's only $200 but that is my month's pay.  I am happy but now I feel depressed because I am not motivated.  I just want to be happy and I am putting that over my school work.  I am happy but i think other areas are about to crash around me.  I have been working out a lot though.  That is the one area that I am very motivated.  Could this just be me coming out of my depression and I am happier again?  Or could this be a slight case of mania?  I don't know what to expect and I need to talk to my counselor about this but I feel weird saying, "I think I'm having a manic stage."

[ILADVOCATE]

Its hard to say. There are a variety of moodswings that range between manic and depressed. Only a psychiatrist would know for sure. Its really hard to be self aware all the time. Its sounds like some things aren't working out but something like the Mood Tracker or a personal medication journal (what I've done for the last 5 years, a couple of sentences a day) works very well when presented to your psychiatrist to let them know what's going on.

[faith_grl]

Hey,

I know when I am manic when I don't give a s**t about anybody or anything. This can be managed...I talk to my therapist about it and I check in with myself with "should I be worried about this but I am not...if so....I need to think before I act on my not worry about this!"

Hope this helps.!