I've suspected it for the last couple weeks. I was previously diagnosed with depression because I thought it was depression and then normal mood but it occurred to me recently that staying up until 5:00 in the morning making pages of life plans probably wasn't normal. I just started seeing a new psychologist (today) and I'm checking to see if we can afford a psychiatrist or not. (If not, I'm going to the free mental health clinic.) I'm just trying to make the best of it for now. I'm happy that the depression bout is over for now though. The manic part is a lot easier to handle.
Of course it is, but that can be in its own way more dangerous than the depression side, even if it feels better. Some bipolar patients resist taking medication because they don't want to give up the manic episodes. But it will burn you out eventually, believe me, and you'll do things in a manic episode that will make your life miserable later, physically and mentally. Remember that's also partly what causes the misery of the depression periods.
Be very open with your psychologist about this and make sure he/she understands the nature and severity of your mood swings. You're right, if you stay up until 5 am for days on end making plans, the psychologist will recognize that just like you did. And that pretty definitely sounds like a manic episode to me.
Not sure where you are, but regardless you definitely should be able to get some care that's free if necessary. Don't give up until you find that care, because it is out there.