Life Charting

Found this article interesting, I am going to ask my Doctor about it in hopes of trying it out.

What is Life Charting?

A life chart is a systematic collection of retrospective (past) and prospective (current) data on the course of illness and treatment recorded by a patient and/or clinician on the retrospective (by month) and prospective (by day) Life Chart Methodology (LCM) forms.

On each life chart, the horizontal line across the middle of the chart represents the baseline (euthymia, neither depressed nor hypomanic or manic) and the dateline. Retrospective life charting is done monthly and prospective ratings are done daily. Hypomania and mania are charted above the dateline, and depression is charted below the dateline, creating a graphical picture of mood fluctuations above and below normal over time. Any hospitalization (for mood) is considered a severe episode and is completely darkened for easy recognition.

Dotted lines represent estimated episodes (unsure of date). Ultra-rapid (four or more episodes per week) or ultradian (rapid mood shifts within a day) cycling is indicated by vertical lines. Treatments, including medications and psychotherapy, are charted above the top of the mania section. Comorbid symptoms, such as alcohol and/or substance abuse, anxiety, panic attacks, and others are recorded below the depression section. Significant life events are charted below the comorbidity section with an impact rating from -4 (very negative) to +4 (very positive), with 0 representing no impact.
Excerpt from Bipolar Weekly News