Introducing the new downloadable Mood Disorder Chart on iVillage Total Health.
A mood chart is a monthly diary that tracks your illness, treatment and other factors to help you better manage bipolar disorder. Charting your moods may reveal a pattern behind the highs andlows of bipolar disorder, such as a change in medication, dosage or some other factor that mightotherwise have gone unnoticed.
Over time, a mood chart may serve as an early warning radar to help predict when depressive or manic phases may begin. Stressful occurrences or a change in sleep patterns that precede the start of the depressive cycle can be identified, and steps taken to help you.
Filling out your chart takes only a few minutes each day, and it can go a long way to help you and your doctor manage your mood disorder.
The accompanying mood chart, sample chart and instructions are provided courtesy of Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Dr. Gary Sachs, director of MGH’s Bipolar Clinic and Research Program.
MOOD DISORDER CHART
