Mood difficulties can involve low periods, elevated or irritable periods, and changes in sleep, energy, or activity. Several conditions and life circumstances can contribute. A simple overview can help a clinician understand the pattern without turning everyday variation into a diagnosis.
How to use this page
Choose a recent, manageable example. Write, draw, or discuss your answers. Skip anything that does not fit; this page is not a diagnostic assessment.
Look across time
Choose a few meaningful changes rather than tracking every hour. Note your usual pattern, what changed, and effects on responsibilities or relationships. Include any periods of unusually little sleep with increased energy.
Bring relevant context
List medicines, substances, health changes, major stressors, and available support for discussion. Do not stop or adjust prescribed treatment based on this page. Ask what assessment and follow-up are appropriate.
Reflection prompts
Use these questions in conversation, on paper, or in the downloaded PDF. You may adapt or skip a prompt.
What changes in mood, energy, sleep, or activity stand out over time?
How were these periods different from your usual pattern, and what was their impact?
What health, medicine, substance, or life changes occurred around the same time?
What concern and assessment question would you like addressed first?
Facilitator notes and adaptation
Assess suicidality, possible mania, psychosis, medical contributors, and substance effects when indicated. Do not interpret a mood log as a diagnostic test. Urgent deterioration requires timely live assessment rather than continued monitoring alone.
Sources behind the concepts
These sources inform the concepts in this original resource. They do not validate or endorse this specific page.