Helpful Tools

Recognizing possible signs of bipolar disorder—in yourself or in a loved one—can be challenging. The following tools are designed to help you sort through your questions, keep track of behaviors that concern you, and communicate effectively with your loved ones and a doctor.

Mood Questionnaire
Start by recognizing the signs of bipolar disorder. Review this brief Mood Questionnaire; you get feedback immediately, and you can print out the results to share with your loved one and/or a doctor.

Symptoms Check “Talk Sheet”
Print out this sheet and jot down concerning behaviors or symptoms when they arise. Keeping a simple record can help you or your loved one better communicate with a doctor.

Mood Tracking Diary
You can download this tool and use it on a daily basis right from your computer. Intended for daily use, this diary features a simple grid on which you gauge your mood each day so that you can detect patterns over time. You can also use the tool to print out reports to review with your doctor.

Progress Diary
Part of treatment for bipolar disorder involves setting personal goals—for life improvement as well as symptom relief. This tool enables you (or your loved one) to keep track of those goals on an ongoing basis.

Resources for more information

There are many places and organizations that can help you learn more about bipolar disorder and how to manage it. Below is a list of major, nationwide organizations. You may also benefit by looking into local support groups and education courses in your immediate area.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Colonial Place Three
2107 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22201
Phone: 703-524-7600
Help Line: 1-800-950-NAMI [6264]
www.nami.org

National Mental Health Association (NMHA)
2001 North Beauregard Street, 12th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22311
Phone: 703-684-7722
Fax: 703-684-5968
Help Line: 1-800-969-NMHA [6642]
www.nmha.org

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
730 North Franklin Street
Suite 501
Chicago, IL 60610-7204
Phone: 312-642-0049
Toll Free: 800-826-3632
Fax: 312-642-7243
www.dbsalliance.org

National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH)
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 8184
MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892
Phone: 301-443-4513
Fax: 301-443-4279
www.nimh.nih.gov

National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD)
60 Cutter Mill Road, Suite 404
Great Neck, NY 11021
Phone: 516-829-0091
Toll Free: 800-829-8289
Fax: 516-487-6930
www.narsad.org

American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
112 South Alfred Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-3061
Phone: (703) 838-9808
Fax: (202) 838-9805
www.aamft.org

American Counseling Association (ACA)
5999 Stevenson Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22304-3300
Phone: 703-823-6862
Toll Free: 800-347-6647
Fax: 703-823-0252
www.counseling.org

American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA)
801 North Fairfax Street, Suite 304
Alexandria, VA 23314
Phone: 703-548-6002
Toll Free: 800-326-2642
Fax: 703-548-4775
www.amhca.org

American Psychiatric Association
1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1825
Arlington, VA 22209-3901
Phone: 703-907-7300
Fax: 703-907-1085
www.psych.org

American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
Phone: 202-336-5500
Toll Free: 800-374-2721
Fax: 202-336-5502
www.apa.org

Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy (AABT)
305 Seventh Avenue, 16th Floor
New York, NY 10001
Phone: 212-647-1890
Fax: 212-647-1865
www.aabt.org

National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
750 First Street, NE
Suite 700
Washington, DC 20002-4241
Phone: 202-408-8600
Toll Free: 800-638-8799
www.naswdc.org

National Mental Health Consumers’ Self-help Clearinghouse
1211 Chestnut Street, Suite 1207
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-751-1810
Toll Free: 800-553-4KEY [4539]
Fax: (215) 636-6312
www.mhselfhelp.org

National Resource Center on Homelessness and Mental Illness
Policy Research Associates, Inc.
345 Delaware Avenue
Delmar, NY 12054
Phone: 518-439-7415
Toll Free: 800-444-7415
Fax: 518-439-7612
www.prainc.com

Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation (CABF)
1187 Wilmette Avenue
P.M.B. #331
Wilmette, IL 60091
Phone: 847-256-8525
Fax: 847-920-9498
www.bpkids.org