Handling Bipolar Disorder Treatment - Monitor the Symptoms and Moods

In order to stay well, it’s important to be closely attuned to the way you feel. By the time obvious symptoms of mania or depression appear, it is often too late to intercept the mood swing, so keep a close watch for subtle changes in your mood, sleeping patterns, energy level, and thoughts. If you catch the problem early and act swiftly, you may be able to prevent a minor mood change from turning into a full-blown episode of mania or depression.

Know your triggers and early warning signs—and watch for them

It’s important to recognize the warning signs of an oncoming manic or depressive episode. Make a list of early symptoms that preceded your previous mood episodes. Also try to identify the triggers, or outside influences, that have led to mania or depression in the past. Common triggers include:

• stress
• financial difficulties
• arguments with your loved ones
• problems at school or work
• seasonal changes
• lack of sleep

Common Red Flags for Bipolar Disorder Relapse

Warning signs of depression I quit cooking meals. I no longer want to be around people. I crave chocolate. I start having headaches. I don’t care about anybody else. People bother me. I start needing more sleep, including naps during the day.

Warning signs of mania or hypomania I find myself reading five books at once. I can’t concentrate. I find myself talking faster than usual. I feel irritable. I’m hungry all the time. Friends tell me that I’m crabby. I need to move around because I have more energy than usual.

Source: BHI Clinicians Guidebook: Bipolar Spectrum Disorders
Knowing your early warning signs and triggers won’t do you much good if you aren’t keeping close tabs on how you’re feeling. By checking in with yourself through regular mood monitoring, you can be sure that red flags don’t get lost in the shuffle of your busy, daily life.
Keeping a mood chart is one way to monitor your symptoms and moods. A mood chart is a daily log of your emotional state and other symptoms you’re having. It can also include information such as how many hours of sleep you’re getting, your weight, medications you’re taking, and any alcohol or drug use. You can use your mood chart to spot patterns and indicators of trouble ahead.

Develop a wellness toolbox

If you spot any warning signs of mania or depression, it’s important to act swiftly. In such times, it’s helpful to have a wellness toolbox to draw from. A wellness toolbox consists of coping skills and activities you can do to maintain a stable mood or to get better when you’re feeling “off.”
The coping techniques that work best will be unique to your situation, symptoms, and preferences. It takes experimentation and time to find a winning strategy. However, many people with bipolar disorder have found the following tools to be helpful in reducing symptoms and maintaining wellness:

• talk to a supportive person
• get a full eight hours of sleep
• cut back on your activities
• attend a support group
• call your doctor or therapist
• do something fun or creative
• take time for yourself to relax and unwind
• write in your journal
• exercise
• ask for extra help from loved ones
• cut back on sugar, alcohol, and caffeine
• increase your exposure to light
• increase or decrease the stimulation in your environment

Create an emergency action plan

Despite your best efforts, there may be times when you experience a relapse into full-blown mania or severe depression. In crisis situations where your safety is at stake, your loved ones or doctor may have to take charge of your care. Such times can leave you feeling helpless and out of control, but having a crisis plan in place allows you to maintain some degree of responsibility for your own treatment.
A plan of action typically includes:

• A list of emergency contacts (your doctor, therapist, close family members)
• A list of all medications you are taking, including dosage information
• Information about any other health problems you have
• Symptoms that indicate you need others to take responsibility for your care
• Treatment preferences (who you want to care for you; what treatments and medications do and do not work, who is authorized to make decisions on your behalf)