Things You'll Need:
- Small note pad
- Pen
- Wrist watch
-
Step 1
Write down all personal feelings, emotions, behaviors and outbursts for one week to act as a baseline. Chart all events attended and social interactions with a list of times using the wrist watch.
-
Step 2
Determine personal criteria for manic phases, such as spending money with ease, insomnia, sudden bursts of positive energy, creativity, grandiose thoughts, hypersexuality, and uncontrollable talking or laughter.
-
Step 3
Determine personal criteria for depressive phases, which may include but are not limited to reclusive behavior, verbal and emotional outbursts, lack of motivation, excessive slumber, apathy, and negative, violent or irrational thoughts.
-
Step 4
Divide paper into four vertical columns, and into 25 horizontal rows. In the chart's top row label the 4 columns Time, Quantify, Manic, and Depressive.
-
Step 5
Carry the note pad and pen daily to chart manic and depressive states and times. In the quantify column list a number from 1 to 10 to describe the intensity of feeling; 1 is the lowest rating and 10 is the highest rating of emotions during an episode.
-
Step 6
Share the notepad monthly with a personal physician or mental health specialist such as a psychiatrist. Continue each day marking bipolar symptoms to ensure the most effective treatment.
