Bipolar mood chart
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Bipolar mood charts can be a helpful tool for clients with bipolar disorder.
This guide to using bipolar mood logs provides therapists with a brief description of the types of bipolar disorder and the benefits of using a bipolar mood chart in private practice.
Therapists can also download a free bipolar mood log above and save it to their electronic health record (EHR) for repeated use with clients.
Types of bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorders are often characterized by periodic and intense emotional states that impact a person’s mood, energy, and ability to function.
The key differences between the types of bipolar disorder are outlined below.
Bipolar I disorder
Bipolar I features at least one manic episode lasting at least seven days (nearly every day for most of the day), and marked impairment in social or occupational functioning.
Depressive episodes are common, but not required for diagnosis.
Bipolar II disorder
Bipolar II features at least one hypomanic episode lasting at least four consecutive days and one major depressive episode lasting at least two weeks.
Cyclothymic disorder
Cyclothymic disorder features at least two years (one year in children/adolescents) of numerous periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms that do not meet the full criteria for a hypomanic, manic, or major depressive episode.
Therapists can consult the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders for more detailed diagnostic criteria and diagnostic codes for bipolar disorder.
Benefits of using a bipolar mood chart
Monitoring mood is an important element of self-managing bipolar disorder.
Bipolar mood trackers can be helpful tools for clients and therapists to:
Track mood patterns
A bipolar mood chart can track mood patterns and treatment progress, and help clients gain valuable insights into their condition and how to effectively manage it.
Supports accurate diagnosis
Bipolar mood logs can help gather valuable data about the types of mood cycles clients experience and their impact on their lives.
Monitors treatment efficacy
Recording mood, medication use, and adherence helps clinicians assess the effectiveness of treatment and whether the client requires a treatment adjustment.
Improves self-awareness of symptoms
Through logging symptoms and moods, clients gain valuable insights and a better understanding of their condition and triggers.
Facilitates identification of triggers
A bipolar mood chart can help clients identify mood changes linked to specific events, habits, or environmental factors, like sleep disruptions, stressors, and other lifestyle changes.
Improves communication
Increased awareness of triggers, moods, and self-management factors may improve communication with clients and loved ones, increasing support and facilitating a better understanding.
Reduces the risk of severe episodes
Through the use of bipolar mood logs and tracking, clients may be better equipped to notice symptoms, prevent severe consequences and further escalation, and increase the likelihood of asking for help.
Recognize trends
A bipolar mood graph or log helps clients and clinicians identify trends over time, which may provide valuable treatment insights and highlight necessary adjustments that need to be made.
How to use a bipolar mood log
There are various ways to use a bipolar mood chart, depending on your client’s preferred method of keeping track of their mood.
For example, they might use an app, smartphone, wearable device, an online tracker, or a calendar or paper-based tracker.
However, no matter the format, most bipolar mood charts will contain the following information:
- Mood level: Euthymic, depressed, mania, hypomania.
- Mood changes: Tracks mood on a scale at the same time each day or twice daily if a shift in mood is identified.
- Triggers/events: Stressors at work, relational conflicts, milestones or achievements, changes to routine (e.g., missed medication, diet changes, poor sleep, lack of exercise).
- Sleep patterns: Hours slept, quality of sleep (i.e., waking up feeling refreshed or pressing snooze and taking naps).
- Medication adherence: Logging when medication was taken, if they missed a dose, or if they took other drugs.
- Energy and activity levels: Captures energy levels and records activities and types of exercise that day.
- Additional observations: Health-related information, substance use, coping strategies used, and any other related information.
Remind clients to complete their bipolar mood chart at the same time each day, and if they have difficulty remembering to complete it, to set a reminder or push notification on their phone.
It may be helpful to ask clients to bring their completed log to the next session to review it and prompt them to practice keeping a record.
Bipolar journal template example
Here is an example of what a completed bipolar mood log might look like:
| Day | Mood level (euthymic, depressed, hypomania, mania) | Mood change (scale: -5 to +5) | Triggers/ events | Sleep (hours/ quality) | Medication adherence (taken/ missed) | Energy/ activity levels | Additional observations |
| Mon | Euthymic | 0 | Normal workday, no significant stressors | 7 hours, good | Taken | Moderate, went for a 30-minute walk | N/A |
| Tues | Depressed | -3 | Argument with a coworker | 5 hours, poor | Missed evening dose | Low, no physical activity | Fatigue, feelings of sadness |
| Weds | Euthymic | 0 | It was a routine day with no triggers | 8 hours, good | Taken | Moderate, light housework | N/A |
| Thurs | Hypomania | +2 | I am excited about an upcoming vacation | 6 hours, restless | Taken | High, reorganized house | Feeling energetic but slightly irritable |
| Fri | Mania | +4 | Overwhelmed at work | 4 hours, poor | Missed morning dose | Very high, excessive pacing | Difficulty concentrating |
| Sat | Depressed | -2 | Cancelled plans with friends | 9 hours, fair | Taken | Low, stayed in bed most of the day | Loneliness, low appetite |
| Sun | Euthymic | 0 | Relaxing day with family | 7 hours, good | Taken | Moderate, did yoga for 20 minutes | Feeling calm and refreshed |
You can print and use the blank bipolar mood chart template by downloading it at the top of this article. Over time, you can use your logged information to track your mood in a bipolar mood graph.
Sources
- American Psychiatric Association. (2024). What are bipolar disorders?
- American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
- Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. (2024). Wellness Trackers.
- Geerling, B., Kelders, S. M., Kupka, R. W., Stevens, A. W. M. M., & Bohlmeijer, E. T. (2021). How can online mood-monitoring in bipolar patients be a success? A qualitative exploration of requirements. International journal of bipolar disorders.
- National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Bipolar disorder.
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