Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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cb72 05/29/2007

Just wanted to share that I started a mood journal some two weeks ago, and I LOVE IT! There is so much I feel I should chart, it gets a bit laborious sometimes, but I can tell it will be useful soon.

I chart: hours of sleep, eating pattern, hours/efficiency at work and home, mood (-10 to +10), anxiety, and anger. I also put a letter down on days I experience lability of emotion (love/hate within seconds), a letter for general thoughts of suicide (S), and also for being more acutely suicidal (SS). There will also be a letter for mood that changes up and down in the same day.

It seems like a lot, but I feel I can't do it with less. Any suggestions? Did I miss something important? What would you add? What would you take out? Why? And how's _your_ charting going?

cb72 05/29/2007

Thanks, JG28 for your reply in my journal. :)

deleted_user 05/29/2007

I found this little mood chart online, but it wasn't anything like what you have listed. The whole thing was numerical and check lists. There was no place to write anything. So I tossed that and started a journal. I think you have the concept down! Keep it up !

deleted_user 05/29/2007

I think what you are doing is great, and it is helping you. I also write nightly in my personal journal I keep by my bed, as well on DS journal for my friends here to get to know me...

deleted_user 05/29/2007

I have found that a good power walk is relaxing and a way to expent extra energy from a manic high. I have mood swings all the time . Not sure how to cope with It.

cb72 05/29/2007

Oh, regular journaling is something I've done for decades, literally. I was asking specifically about mood charting. It's supposed to be THE essential tool for us bipolars. I'm surprised not more people are doing it.

deleted_user 05/29/2007

cb, thats' great input on mood charting. thanks!

i'lll have to see if it works for me.

i haven't done it yet but with mine i am going to make a second chart and color code all of my moods so i can get more a a visual on them.

right now they're just a bunch of words on a piece of paper(actually my computer).

deleted_user 05/29/2007

I just rate my mood from 1 -10 1 being the worst. I'm a 6 right now and that's pretty good for me. I'm working on getting it back up to an 8 though. I have some outside situations that are interferring with my mood, and the chart helps me to rate where I'm at daily. I'm not near as detailed as you, but Ijournal also and write my emotions and all in there everyday. I like your idea.

cb72 05/29/2007

My problem is that I just recently realized that I have moods to track, and that my other symptoms (anxiety, inability to focus, work) don't necessarily correlate. So I feel like I have to track it all. For example, I was definitely not depressed for stretches of time, but I think I was still unable to work (my main complain). Now I'll know.

deleted_user 05/29/2007

yes... it is important to track it all. that way you can figure out what is going on with yourself.

easer said than done though. i struggle with it sometimes.

i get burned out trying to keep track of it and just want to go about my day as normal.

deleted_user 05/30/2007

i have done a mood chart for months, and love it . it is the diary of how i feel everyday and what i think yhat i dont like.

deleted_user 05/30/2007

http://www.moodtracker.com. I'm using it but it is not that detailed. Still helps me though. Since my brain forgets so much - I need it to review so I can tell the doctor exactly what is going on. Else I forget and just mumble.

deleted_user 05/30/2007

I keep a journal

deleted_user 05/30/2007

I chart and I also include what my meds are and dose as they have been changed. Also I started to put in social interactions- did I visit or someone drop by- and stresses - like arguments, tough day at work, etc. I really started to see how all that affected my mood.

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