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Bipolar Mood Chart
A bipolar mood chart is a simple and yet effective means of tracking and representing patient's condition every month. It helps piece together important information about the patient's disease such as mood state, medication levels and major life experiences.
Bipolar mood charts help patients, their families and their doctors to see probable patterns that might have been very difficult to determine. Bipolar children and their families will greatly benefit from mood charting and can expect early detection of symptoms and determination of proper treatments by their doctors.
Chronological events are essential to record in a bipolar mood chart and this can help you report the mood swings and bipolar symptoms effectively. A few months worth of mood charting is vital for future use.
Making entries to your mood chart is easy and simple. You can get accustomed to the daily task and it usually takes only minutes to fill-up. There are many online sites that have downloadable bipolar mood charts. Choose a simple chart to fill-up and use that continuously in a course of a few months.
How to fill-up a bipolar mood chart
There are columns and rows that need to be marked on a bipolar mood chart. You may use a check mark [ / ] or an "x" on the row/column that is applicable.
You will find specific information that needs to be marked accordingly, and these are:
Mania episodes
On any given day of a specific month, mania episodes can occur. You need to take note of these dates and mark them on your bipolar mood chart to help your doctor asses the mood pattern/s you are exhibiting; that way, a proper treatment plan and other forms of medication can be given to you.
Mania episodes can be subdivided according to the level of severity:
Severe mania - is best described as the level of mania episode that may require hospitalization or the patient is unable to function properly and normally
Moderate mania - is best described as the level of mania episode that may allow the patient to function but with limits.
Mild mania - is best described as the level of mania episode that may allow the patient to do regular daily routine/s with ease.
Stable
The stable phase or sometimes known as the "normal" episode should also be included. Mark the dates that you experienced "stable" episodes.
Depression episodes
Depression can occur anytime. After a week or two of mania episodes, your mood may switch into depression episodes. Mark the dates that you experienced depression.
Depression episodes are subdivided into several levels:
Mild depression - is characterized as being able to do usual daily routines with out too much difficulty.
Moderate depression - is characterized as being able to function but with some difficulty or with needed effort.
Severe depression - is characterized as being unable to function totally or needing hospitalization.
Anxiety episodes
Mark the dates if you experience anxiety episodes. Sometimes anxiety and depression or mania can occur altogether in a day.
Irritability
Mark the dates if you experience irritability.
Medications/treatments
You need to mark the dates whenever you are taking your medicines. Mark the dates whenever you are taking your medications as prescribed by your doctor.
Side effects
Mark the appropriate date if you experience some side-effects after taking your medication.
Hours slept
Instead of marking, indicate the number of hours you slept on a specific date.
Weight
Weight can be recorded once a week and you may use pounds [lbs] or kilograms [kg].
Logs
A bipolar mood chart may also include a log or a notes section where you can write all significant experiences you've had during a specific date. Always specify the date and briefly describe your experience.
The log may also be the complete interpretation of your mood chart.
Sample Bipolar Mood Chart
Note: This is a simple mood chart that can be modified according to your needs and condition.
Month of July 2008
Check the days you have encountered the following episodes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Severe Mania
X
Moderate Mania
Mild Mania
X
Stable
X
X
X
Mild Depression
X
Moderate Depression
Severe Depression
X
Anxiety
Irritability
X
X
Check the days when you take your medicine/s
Medicines
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Side-effects
X
X
X
X
Hours slept
8
8
6
7
7
5
5
Weight [in pounds]
135
Log sheet:
Date
Remarks
July 1
Felt like shopping and I couldn't stop; used up all my credit limit
July 2
Was annoyed and irritated by a co-worker; I couldn't eat
July 3
The day was great
July 4
It was a fine day
July 5
Went to the park with Robin and Candy; had a great time with them
July 6
Can't eat and think straight, but was able to finish some tasks in the office
July 7
I don't know what's going on with me; I hate myself, I want to die
