Hi, how are you today? I hope you’re having a great day.

Generally speaking, I believe my weatherman. Usually he’s right. But not today. We had a snowstorm predicted, and it’s sunny and warm instead. How much more wrong could he get? 

So, even though in general, I can count on the weather, in reality it can be very different. I can’t predict the weather, any more than I could predict my mom’s mood swings. At least at first.

Then I learned something. And it’s like the weatherman. He determines what the weather will be based on patterns. Wind patterns, storm patterns, etc. That’s how he can predict what should happen with the weather. So what I learned was to watch my mom for patterns. Specifically, I watched for changes in her behavior. And the length of time it went on.

For example, if she started spending more time in bed than usual, I would note that as a changing pattern. Because one of her signs of an oncoming episode is sleeping more. Her sleeping more in and of itself wasn’t really anything wrong, but if it continued, and if it was accompanied by other patterns, I became concerned that she was going to go into a bipolar episode. Like if she also started spending more money.

You know your loved one better than anybody. Hopefully, you are close enough to them to notice patterns, or changes in their behavior. It’s a little harder to do that if they are not living with you, but you still need to watch for them. You’ve also been with them through episodes, before, so you should be familiar with their episodic behavior.

Stay vigilant, no matter how long it’s been since they’ve had an episode. Don’t take it for granted. Continue to watch for signs, or patterns, such as:

• Sleeping too much or too little.

• Changes in eating habits.

• Lack of productivity.

• Agitation and irritation (even short-tempered or angry).

• Increase in speech, and jumping from topic to topic.

• A new happiness, above their usual good mood.

• A deepening sadness, or depression that goes on for longer than a couple days.

• Loss of interest in what they usually are interested in.

• Skipping medication, and/or skipping appointments with their doctor, psychiatrist, and/

or therapist.

• Decrease in communication with you (they might be hiding how they are really feeling).

These are all examples of changes in behavior patterns that can indicate an oncoming episode.

You know your loved one’s triggers as well, and you can watch that they avoid them or, if they happen to be tripped by one (like lack of sleep triggers a manic episode). Just like the weatherman, you can predict your loved one’s moods and behavioral changes by watching for

patterns.

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

Dave