Manic Episode: Permanent Changes?

This seems like a really stupid question, but I'll ask anyway...

I recently had a manic or possibly mixed (dysphoric mania) episode. I had issues (minor) with OCD and paranoia before - though never diagnosed because I was never really open about them - they never significantly affected my life (so not diagnosis-worthy anyway). I do have an anxiety disorder and panic attacks, although I had controlled them so well I hadn't needed Xanax or anything in a few years.

My manic/dysphoric episode was the scariest experience of my life. I started getting intrusive thoughts (they were so horrible... SO horrible). My paranoia hit the roof apparently. The anxiety ramped, and I had panic attack after panic attack.

I should note that I was diagnosed bipolar 2 in 2001, but had hypomanic episodes before - so nothing like this.

Now I feel like I'll never be the same... not in an I'm-depressed way, my mood is actually stabilizing pretty well. The thing is, my paranoia and OCD (particularly the paranoia) are not going back to their original level... although the addition of Abilify did make them go down from a critical level where I was terrified.

Does anyone else feel like this? Do you ever go back to your normal?

TIA for any help...

My definition of normal is ever-changing.
I can't say I've repeated a definition yet.
Changes happen and that becomes the new normal.

So... It's not always like that.
It's patient-related, so each case is a little different.
But, in general... there's no constant normal.