In case you are not aware, people with bipolar disorder were classified as one of the priority groups during early phases of lockdown. Looking back I’m hazy on all the privileges or penalties this conferred, early vaccination for sure and exemption for some from mask wearing, but not much else. I know that for some people who previously had not experienced mental ill-health (as opposed to serious mental illness) being confined to home for most hours of the day presented challenges. For those with bipolar it was similar. However, some were relieved at no longer having to conform to social norms and stayed at home undisturbed. At the time I thought that experience of a psychiatric ward was, in a way, good practice for the constraints of house arrest – hours with nothing much to do peppered with moments of excitement when a delivery of some kind arrived. Then tentative steps into the outside world with short daily walks. The scars of these covid experiences will last for some time to come, as referrals to mental health services for children and young people in particular continue to surge. Other people who must also be susceptible are the key workers and healthcare staff who worked through the whole emergency without any break. And without much complaint.
Personally I thought I experienced a relatively incident-free coronavirus pandemic, I knew I was flying a little high and even when working from home, I explained to colleagues in case they thought I was more short tempered than usual. Only when I checked my mood diary was the full picture evident (see image)
Bipolar mood diary
I have lived with bipolar for thirty years and only half-way through that time have I kept a mood journal. I recommend it. Not that I refer to it too often as with my long experience, I recognise my tell-tale symptoms quite well but the questionnaire I complete ( I use True Colours website and my data feeds anonymously into bipolar research) allows me to reflect on the past week and check in with myself. Through Andrew Thompson, a volunteer developer, Bipolar UK has also built an app for daily tracking of sleep (precious ingredient of good health for those living with bipolar), medication and mood. Other commercial mood tracking apps exist and a web search will bring them to you.
Whichever tool you use, especially if you are new to the bipolar life or suspect you may have symptoms, you’ll find it invaluable. It will help you monitor yourself and get to know your mood patterns or triggers you have. The graphs also act as a shorthand way to give busy mental health workers and doctors the evidence they need to form and inform opinions about your care.