Bipolar mood chart
Get the same versions used by: 1.the Harvard Bipolar Research program, and 2.the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) . . . and start this easy and effective self-help program now. Charting puts you in the driver's seat so you can safely participate in your own psychological care.
What is a bipolar mood chart?It is a simple, patient driven tool that requires only a few minutes a day to complete. However, mood charts are extremely powerful and effective.Bipolar mood charts provide a visual image of how important pieces of information such as mood, medication, and life events all fit together. Usually the chart contains space for at least the following information: 1. Date: there should be space for recording data for each day. 2. Mood scale: the scale would typicaly include a baseline which indicates feeling normal (no depression or mania) and then a range of points above the baseline for elevated mood, and below the baseline for depressed mood. A scale of -3 to +3 is comon, but some charts have scales of -5 to +5 or even -10 to +10. I like to use -3 to +3. 3. How much sleep the person got 4. What medication was taken and the dosage. 5. Notes: this an be a record of life events considered relevant, such as stressors, therapy sessions, family gatherings, or notes about the workplace.
Someone who is experimenting with making diet and exercise changes may like to include that information. I particularly like versions that include columns for recording anxiety and irritibility levels as both of these are issues for me. The wonderful thing about mood charting is that the exact contents can be customized for each person. Why keep a mood chart?PATTERN RECOGNITION: The mood chart for bipolar disorder is a visual tool that makes it much easier to identify patterns before serious problems develop. It is this pattern recognition that is my favorite part of mood charting. This may sound simple, but because there are so many factors involved (sleep, medication, life events, exercise, PMS) I find that charting is far easier, more effective and clearer than keeping a diary or simply trying to remember everything in between visits to the doctor.OBJECTIVE EVIDENCE: I may suspect my fish oil is doing me good, or that my new medication is not as helpful as good old fashioned lithium, but I prefer collecting empirical data over a period of time to base my decsions on. PRE-EMPTIVE STRIKES: The chart provides an early warning system that shows when my mood is becoming unstable. This makes it possible to make changes before I am caught in the middle of a major mood episode. SELF AWARENESS: For me it is helpful to be aware of how I am feeling and of any ups and downs. It gives me a sense of control and makes me more sensitive to how my condition may be effecting my loved ones.
How to use bipolar mood chartsEach of the 3 versions included here comes with instructions.All you need to do is download a free copy of the blank mood chart and then print it amd make as many photocopies as you need. Samples of completed charts are also included to help you understand the process and get started. These particular bipolar charts have been chosen because they are professional versions that have been tested and validated, and are used and recognised by leading clinicians and researchers. Just choose the one that you like best.
Sharing your bipolar mood chartSharing charts for bipolar disorder with significant others, family, friends, therapists or medical professionals, or anyone else you consider part of your support network may be extremely helpful.I like to share my chart for the following reasons: 1. Sometimes others are able to pick up patterns that I miss. 2. I want my partner to feel informed, involved and trusted. 3. Sometimes my symptoms show up as an inclination to be secretive, paranoid and controlling - sharing my chart is the most effective way for me to short circuit this. 4. Knowledge is power, and I like power to be shared!
Bottom line . . .By it's very nature, the course of bipolar disorder is bumpy and unpredictable.The whole point is that both the disorder and responses to treatment are likely to follow an irregular pattern that can be very confusing for the bipolar person and their care-givers. The charts are a very easy but powerful tool to help everyone involved understand the relationships between the highs and lows of the disorder, possible stressors and triggers, the impact of medication, and the effectiveness of other measures such as diet and exercise. (You can discover more about the bipolar mood chart and other powerful, practical tools in The Bipolar Toolkit, available at as a free bonus below when you sign up for Bipolar-Lives Monthly.)
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