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Additional Posts
Recently,
I talked about an article in Current
Psychiatry that I found frustrating. This week, I want to highlight one I
thought was interesting and has some value to us as consumers. In the June 2007
issue of Current Psychiatry, Dr. David
L. Wagner suggested a new way to identify when hypomania...
Hi Sue........The "flighty" definitions for hopomania are excellent. Nobody is really "just manic" or "just depressed". I also think there are likely two levels of hypomania.
To help me read my manic and depressed phases better, I made up a simple chart that works for me. I'll sharepost it when I have time.
Basically, I have two charts, one for mania and one for depression. Both define 5 different levels, on a scale of 1 to 5. All I do is figure out what my level is each day, then put it on my calendar. It works well for me. Occasionally, I share it with my doctor, especially when I'm fluctuating on the chart.
M1 is mild hypomania. D1 is mild depression. M4 requires hospitalization. It's a simple way to evaluate and track your moods.
The definitions on this chart came from one of my favorite authors who created a more complex mood scale. Simplicity work best for me.
Judy
That chart thing sounds like a good idea. I need to do something like that because she asks me all the time how I'm feeling and it's hard to tell her sometimes.
if you have time check out: www.helium.com/items/745357-bipolar-disorder-illness-or-excuse
Jeffrey...thanks for posting - nice to hear from you. Yes, the mood charting devise I use is a good one, simple and effective - one anybody could easily use. My therapist likes it a great deal.
Thank you for the website article - helium looks like an interesting site. I'll browse it later when I have time. Thanks.
Judy