How to Chart Bipolar Symptoms

Bipolar symptoms vary greatly from person to person, but can be managed with the proper tools. Finding personal criteria for manic and depressive states will help to chart bipolar symptoms. Charting bipolar symptoms can assist the psychiatrist in assessing the ups and downs of a patient's chemical state and adjust treatment accordingly. Once under control, bipolar disorder patients and families can lead fulfilling lives virtually free of the daunting affects of the daily mania and depression.

Things You'll Need

• Small note pad
• Pen
• Wrist watch

Instructions

Instructions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact a mental health specialist if you feel that you or a family member needs psychiatric assistance.

References

• Bipolar Information