What Is a Mood Journal and Why Should You Keep One? (Includes Video)

  General Transcript For “Mood Journal” Video My name is Gabe Howard. I’m the host of The Psych Central Show Podcast, and I am also a person that lives with bipolar disorder. Managing bipolar disorder takes a lot of time, and people often ask me, “Gabe, what are some hints and tips to help manage my bipolar disorder? Or my depression? Or my mental illness?” Well, I keep a diary. Let me tell you a little story because I think it is funny. When I was 25 years-old, and was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I went to therapy a lot. I was learning different things, skills, and a woman who kind of reminded me of my sister (she was my therapist), she said, “Gabe, you need to keep a diary.” And this just conjured up this idea of a 12 year-old girl in her room writing down who she loved in study hall.  I immediately just had this visceral reaction of like no, no, huh-uh!  I already talk about my feelings, I already cry too much. I want to hold on to some semblance of manhood. I am not keeping a diary. So I kept a diary because I wanted to get well, and frankly, I thought it was a decent idea, but I cheated a little and called it a journal. Because journals are manly. That’s what I’ve decided. And still, 15 years later, I actually still keep a little mood journal. This is mine and I’m not going to show you the inside because it’s private and that would be rude. General Instructions and Benefits for Keeping a Mood Journal But, I...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Creativity Disorders General Peer Support Personal Self-Help Video Journaling Mood Journal Mood Swings mood tracking writing exercise Source Type: blogs