As a sufferer of bipolar you know that your symptoms should be monitored to enable you to cope with the disease.
Your psychiatrist advised you to look out for all the signs and symptoms that can trigger a bipolar episode.
But it does not help if you are just on the lookout, you should also keep record of when and what triggers your onslaught, and if you are on medication how your treatment is working.
The only way to keep record is to have a mood chart.
Your mood chart will not only benefit yourself but also your doctor, family and friends.
It will provide a detailed record of when you had an episode and what triggered it.
With the information your family and friends will be able to determine what your trigger points are and what they should do to help you stay in a calm and relaxed state.
The doctor on the other hand will be able to see if your medication is effective and if it should be adjusted to improve your life.
What is a bipolar mood chart? It is a simple, patient driven tool used by bipolar and depression sufferers.
It will only require a few minutes a day to complete.
However, mood charts are extremely powerful and effective.
Bipolar mood charts will provide you with a visual image of how all your life events, moods and medication fit together over a given period.
Your chart will usually contain space for at least the following information: 1.
Date: But not only the date itself, there should be enough space for recording data for each day.
2.
Mood scale: The scale would consist of a baseline which indicates feelings.
The base line will be the normal (no depression or mania) line.
Above the baseline will be a scale going up to +5, and below the baseline a scale going down to -5.
The range of points above the baseline is used to record elevated mood, and below the baseline for depressed mood.
3.
Sleeping pattern: Recording your sleep.
How much sleep did you get? 4.
Medication: What medication was taken and what the dosage was.
5.
Notes: This can be used to record all the daily events that you consider to be relevant, such as stressors, your therapy sessions, family gatherings, or notes about the workplace.
6.
Weight: This is also very important as it will help you to maintain your physical health.
If you want to experiment with diet and exercise changes this will be very handy.
The nice thing about mood charts is that the content can be customized to suit your particular needs.
You can use any book or diary as a mood chart.
Although with everything being digital nowadays, online mood charts are also available.
An online bipolar mood chart is a great tool.
Research indicates that by using an online version will increase compliance and will make it easier to integrate your mood chart into your life.
You will be able to recognize the early warning signs and avoid relapse.
You should also consider sharing your chart with your significant others, your family, friends, therapists or medical professionals, or anyone else you consider part of your support network.
They will be able to pick up patterns that you miss and you will be rewarded with the answers that you need for daily life management.