1. Level of creativity 2. Amount of patience 3. Appetite changes 4. Amount of sleep changes 5. Changes in personal hygeine 6. Changes in interest and/or obsession in hobbies 7. How we use our money 8. Sex drive changes 9. How active we are on social media 10. Thoughts and/or actions of self-harm 11. Way we feel about our work/job 12. The way music sounds/feels (and/or how loud it is) 13. What loved-ones point out about our behaviour 14. How sensitive we are to our environment/home, etc.) 15. How we feel about our relationships 16. Presence and level of paranoia 17. Amount of time spent socializing 18. Amount of compassion and trust for others 19. Substance cravings 20. The way we communicate, e.g. how fast we talk, or what we talk about 21. Level of cleanliness in our personal environment

Waking up with the same anger only to realize that it’s another day of bipolar is, in it’s self, mental. Thank you for your courage

one of my most destructive mood states is .."wow, that is a great idea for a new business".

One marker for me that is related to yours for communication, like being on the phone or posting a lot on social media, is this: my in-person socializing. When I am stable or hypomanic I enjoy the company of others and can even function well as a hostess. When I am in a mixed state or depressed, I CANNOT DO PEOPLE AT ALL. The prospect fills me with dread. The experience is torture.

Can you please make a video about cognitive abilities such as memory loss and difficulty concentrating? Could it be something to do with medication or bipolar disorder itself that someone may have problems remembering, concentrating, etc. I can't find much information about it. I think it would help many polar warriors with a video about it 😃❤️

When I’m depressed I know exercise will benefit me but I cannot start. When I’m hyper it doesn’t even feel like exercise. More like flying 😂

I hate it so much. I finally get myself right and put in a million miles of effort towards my goals, only to rip the rug out from under myself and slowly seep back into that wallowing puddle of mud once again. And it happens every. single. time.

I believe I have been BP since I was 14 but not diagnosed and given meds until 58. Hearing this list reminded me of how many times I felt defective and useless. I thought (and was told by my mom) that I was the cause of my fluctuating moods. I was called a cry baby, maudlin, dramatic, too sensitive, and on and on. I now know I have had a serious mental illness most of my life and the labels were lies. I am a great person who gets to cope a little differently with my life. Thanks Rob so much for all you do. Your channel has shown me I am not alone and that brings so much peace and comfort and patience with myself.

I've been having revenge fantasies a lot lately. I had a dysphoric hypomanic episode triggered by being woken up early by my neighbours a few days ago. I'd never thought of it as a symptom of bipolar disorder. I also have CPTSD and I think of it as a hypervigilant overreaction to threats. The bipolar and CPTSD are like an evil tag team. When I think I'm done with one, the other shows up and bashes me over the head with a chair.

Yes. Holidays are very tough. Everybody wants to know how you are, and how you are doing. And I just can't be honest about all that without the fear that I'll bring someone down -- on a Holiday. It sucks.

Going through a really difficult hypomanic phase right now, so this is greatly appreciated. The pain is real.

Helpful list! One for me that I didn't hear on the list is ease/level of body movement. Like feeling like I'm sisyphus trudging up a mountain when low and just want to bike around excercizing like crazy when up.

when i get really psychotic I have a hard time visualizing and that usually meant in the past i would be immediately hospitalized. now because of my amazing spouse I can just be and "ride the wave" as i call it and she helps me see the otherside. also my memory gets really bad the more unstable my mood seems to be. whether manic or depressed I cant seem to keep track of even something simple like i was supposed to be the one to do the dishes that day. thanks for all the well written and real videos. i appreciate you

Here i thought Noone understood. This really helps

Yes to all of the above! You mean this is not normal? This is a description of my whole life.

Oh my goodness! This video really speaks to me. Just this morning I was thinking to myself, "What on earth is going on with my mood now?" My mind is such a conundrum anymore. I feel like I should even show this video to my loved ones. Thank you so much ❤ have a wonderful day I 😊

This is really helpful I have a boyfriend struggling with this and I don't know much about it yet

Great video. I was struggling with my changing cycles. I got a mood checker app. It’s been extremely helpful to me and my therapist. Looking at the graphs it is clear I’m in a mixed cycle. The thing that I notice is my manic brain plans a lot of activities and the depressive side cancels everything. That’s when I know I have to do a self check and call my thrapist

This was extremely interesting and helpful...! And a big thank you for highlighting the nuances between hypomania, mania, dysphoric mania and depression. I think, that it is extremely important to understand, that there is not only an "on-off" switch for the "mood poles", but the symptoms and experiences vary within a person and between different people...

I know I’m in a depressed episode cause I can’t force myself to shower and definitely crave for being alone. In a small apartment with four people living in it, it feels even smaller. Even my grandson, whom I adore, is a pain in the neck. And I try to understand that he is going through his own ordeal but sometimes I feel like screaming and losing it. I also want to isolate in my roo But there’s no chance for it. They’d even find me if I am hiding crying in my closet. The guilt makes it worse cause I don’t want to make it all about me. I try to help the best I can but I really can’t do much right now but try not to lose control. Thoughts of destruction are permanent in my head. I’m sure I need a hospital stay but even that can’t be considered because of kid’s school, daughter’s job schedule and a 17 year old. All of us 3 females have bipolar disorder diagnosis. Last time I went inpatient all hell broke lose at the house and I found out walking out of the hospital. I felt like going back and never leave again. Your videos are very helpful. Sorry for the long comment.

I'm an independent contractor and can tell based on how much or little money I'm bringing in if something is off. Best as a reflection of the week or month. It's encouraging when I make extra without trying to start a new business or sell off things i need but worrying when my ledger is blank for days or longer. Another one is commenting on KZfaq, which I typically don't do except when I'm manic 😅 thanks for the video!

Big signal for me that I'm getting depressed is definitely sleeping upwards of 12 + hours if left unchecked. I struggle with eating honestly on either the manic or depressed end of the spectrum. When hypomanic, I just zone in on whatever has caught my interest & I leave no time for self care like that. When depressed, I struggle with feeling undeserving of nutrition. Also when I try to speak about what's on my mind while depressed, I tend to feel more trapped. Like there's a barrier preventing the words I want to say from coming out. Currently fighting to take care of myself while off medication & trying to find a job. Thank you as always for your videos. They have given me hope & motivation to keep going.

thank you for all the videos. I'm 27 and got diagnosed with bipolar a few years ago, before that, in my teens, the diagnose was BPD. some days I feel very lonely because here were i live doesn't exist to have support groups and that kind of stuff. I restarted my treatment four months ago and I think that's something, but I can't avoid feeling lonely sometimes. so, thank you very very much. you make me wanna hug you haha. good luck!

Unusual anger is almost always a manic moment

“Social endurance “ I love this label for this state

This list is invaluable! As a late diagnosed Type 2 rapid cycling individual I had no clue how to gage anything other than the depression cycles. Your anecdotes help me relate this so well to experiences in my own life. Thank you so much.

When I'm Euthymic I don't wanna do anything which is weird. When I'm manic music gets made. When I'm depressed music gets made. I'm so lost in my own head. 😂

After 20 years of being bipolar I am pretty good at knowing where my moods are. I use many of the same things on your list. After a long time the list got stuck in my brain. Thankfully, because I would not have always bothered to look up an external list.

Oh, you hit the proverbial nail on its head! Music, for me, has been a constant source of joy, but when I’m depressed, everything sounds so flat and awful. When you mentioned music, it meant so much to me, because hardly anyone seems to “get it.” Thanks!❤

I have mood changes every few minutes,so in one day i have 21 episodes 😅

When I'm getting into depression or a mixed episode I mess up my schedule. I'll be late for work, I'll forget commitments, etc.

Had my first psychiatrist visit after a mental health nurse referred me, believing me to be Bipolar II. The psychiatrist, upon the first visit, immediately wanted to start me on a mood stabiliser. He is reluctant to give an immediate diagnosis, but it was the first visit. Thanks so much for your videos Rob, and I hope everyone here is okay.

Credit to you Rob me man 😁🙏 Practice and gauge. I've learnt there's that silver lining. Work with the cycles and what you got, not to fight them. Keep your motives alligned with the intentions 'too love or above'

Always appreciate you and the shared struggle

Very helpful. Needed to know this. Thank you , Rob. Been a subscriber for the past 4 yrs. You are one of the best! Lisa in Florida ❤❤❤❤

I feel like so many of these things are all blended together My sleep is always messed up and always has been…. But I guess when manic it is much worse… Eating is always all over the place Spending either rigid or don’t give a shit- or depressed “spend it all on others since I’m going to Jill myself” or whatever. I don’t know I just feel like it’s always all over the place and so un-relatable to anyone. And I want more than ever for whoever I’m talking to to understand and engage with my thoughts.

Another great video Robert! I know I have at least 19 of these on the list. As always thank you for your compassion for us polar warriors and I've already started sharing. I don't think I've ever told you but I also have complex PTSD and seasonal affective disorder so lucky me huh? I got a triple dose. I don't know if you can use having multiple problems like I have or not. But you have helped me so much and also someone I know who really needed someone like you to make sense of their illness. ❤

Happy Easter and many thanks brother ✌️

Other people notice that you are unwell before you do yourself. I was extremely angry about people gossiping about me. You can recognise changes yourself as you learn and relate to others

Aside from: well done, this was very relatable. I don't get how some people said that you are high functioning, I can somehow tell how much you suffered with this illness. The way you explain your mood shifts resonates with me but your version is way more intense. Manic self harm is freaking scary, especially since you become very creative and driven. I broke my favorite guitar, a glass table, and basically anything glass is very dangerous for me. I'm really sorry for everything. But the bottom line is that you are truly a hero here. You got it pretty bad from I can tell. I truly wish you peace and tranquility. Thanks for your hard work.

This video is going to help so many people Rob! Using the feed back from the survey and then putting it into categories so we can all benefit from it is amazing!! Thinking about printing them out to put on the fridge lol.. great work as always!

I used to be a regular to this channel since my wife was diagnosed 6 years ago when she changed completely. I'm back on here to get things off my chest. She finally left for the final time as I can no longer handle her anymore. I know I have to completely cut her off so she doesn't try and finesse her way back home. Drugs alcohol and men is what she is about now. I do feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, though I feel guilty for essentially throwing her away. But she's not capable of staying on her meds and avoiding certain people who take advantage of her illness. I do blame her, too, though. She may be sick, but she knows it's wrong to abandon her children to fulfill her desires. Honestly, it's been exhausting taking care of someone like her. I'm 43, and the children need at least one parent. It was like raising my children with an out of control, needy teenager as my wife. I hope she stays away from family.

Thank you very much and greatings from Germany. I'm Diagnosed 2,5 year ago and I'm so glad that you produce this Canal. You gave me a lot of tools and assistance like this Video

God Bless u Rob u made me smile watching diz video 😊

I drink a lot of coffee when I am manic or upper hypo. I know it's the last thing I need, but I do it. By the way, this is a great channel.

Energy level plus sleep is best way to gauge my mood. Also I abuse substances as a escape. When I’m manic needs others to point out something is wrong.

I was recently diagnosed with BP a few months ago, your videos have really helped me learn about what’s going on with myself and get a much better understanding of what’s going on, thank you :)

These are so true.

I have a few questions for everyone. When on a manic or hypermanic episode and you try to go to sleep is it painful to close your eyes? Do your eyelids flip open when you do close your eyes? Is it normal to experience uncontrollable head and hand shaking? I am seeing my doctor this week to get her opinion but I want to know if anyone else with bipolar disorder have experienced what I'm going through right now.

OMG 😢 This is so on the nail. Still getting used to the idea of BP. Feel like it's some shadow character which has been lurking for years behind my back, dragging my life down, like some little devil leaping from one shoulder to another.... just out of sight.

I have Bipolar I with rapid cycling, it’s just a huge pain in the ass. I don’t know where I am half the time. I take Lamotrigine and it really does only work for bipolar depression (I miss regular antidepressants). I’ve not had that many (non-triggered) low episodes in the time I’ve been taking it. I have made a list of things I have done in the past and still do now, many of which are listed in the video. I take only a small amount of quetiapine 50mg mainly to help me sleep but even sleep is choppy again. I’m having hypomania more recently. It feels like one stops then another one begins 😖😔

Excellent. Nodding "yes" the entire video, as I recognized all the things i can relate to because they are my behaviors!! The shower, for instance: I just told my Sister I have often gone 10 days without a shower when in depressed state. Whole list is spot on.

The "who am I saying f*** you to" test. Im always angry, but mania is "f*** everybody and everything", depression is "f*** me & f*** life".

Thank you for the upload ❤

Keep up the good work Rob. Let’s shave that 20% down! These 21 signs ring true - especially the sad fantasies about leaving town, wife, job… 😢

You hit on so many things to the T. I only wish my family would take the time to listen to you. Thank goodness I haven't destroyed my relationship with my children and I could have. Thank you for making these videos they are my saving grace. 😊

I have noticed that as soon as I'm triggered and my mood is changing- my voice changes. It gets flatter and deeper. On the flip- when I'm hypomanic my voice raises and I dance alot!😂

I particularly resonated with the self injury, I believe it was number 10. The last time I self injured, not that long ago, I did not go to the hospital. Lesson learned. Like Rob said, it’s a really huge red flag. Great video, and many of the Mood indicators are meaningful to me personally.

Really good stuff , I have found to be mindful of my thoughts and be the observer and not jump with every emotion.

Very helpful, thanks. I would like to know more about appetite. I try to exercise and drink water, eat a light snack, but if there's anything more I can do to help increase my appetite, please let me know. I don't want to eat breakfast/lunch and of course the lack of food makes me tired.

Very insightful information. Thank you!

Thank you very much .

God bless you, your channel and those you love. Ive been diagnosed over 10 years with bipolar 1 and your videos have taught me so much in so little time. I subscribed will be contributing to your patreon soon. 🎉

Interesting note you made about use of alcohol to keep the manic party going. Curious, as I've always noticed that alcohol tends to energize me, where as others have told me that is not usual as alcohol is a depressant. Does alcohol affect those with bipolar differently than the general population? Or, energize others like it does me, even though it's a depressant?

Thank you so much for your videos! Helping me so much to understand my friends moods, so i can respond in a proper way. And it helps me to not get upset and add to the situation.

Dammit Rob we love you man hahah it's been so long since such an awesome stream

it is painful to shower

My Ex taught me to be frugal on spending, even now in a depressed state, i'm careful with money.

I am very thankful for your hard work with ❤bipolar disorder warrior

I see a lot of those. Thanks!

Heightened mood loving it , dialed in skiing.

I remember 6 year's back at some of manic highest of highs spending waaaay too much on lego sets shoes electronics it was a difficult time but i reeled it in eventually it can be quite destructive if gone unchecked and unnoticed

Thank you for these videos, I find your personality really soothing and your insight very helpful. ❤️ I was recently diagnosed with bipolar 2, which I have been struggling a lot to grasp. I still doubt it some and prefer to view it in a looser “maybe it is, maybe it isn’t” way, but I undeniably can see myself reflected in your videos. When I first saw this therapist a year ago he thought I could be bipolar after I said I’d written 10,000 words of a novel in a day (and 40,000 words in a week)… I denied him at the time because this seemed like typical behavior for myself. Fast forward a year later and I had the most terrifying hypomanic episode where I became hypersexual and started to feel like I was a supervillain… I started uncontrollably smiling and laughing, I wanted to be evil forevermore and felt so far from my true self. I struggled with a lot of guilt and shame afterwards, for weeks and weeks. I’m just starting to pick myself back up now rebalancing my sleep schedule and practicing self love, but it’s definitely a struggle and I feel like everyday can bring a whole new whirlwind of emotions. I think for me, there are several strange things that can occur when I’ve felt what was probably hypomania… for one thing, I have all these weird memories of getting so hyperfixated on things that I couldn’t stop doing them for the life of me; couldn’t get up for hours to eat, workout, or just breathe, because I was so addictively absorbed into whatever the activity was. In my most recent hypomanic episode I didn’t feel like eating even though I was hungry because I felt too impatient to eat. There’s a sense sometimes that everything is rushed, even though there’s no reason it should be. Everything also seems to figuratively glow. I’m a creative person but my creativity does spike to divine levels. Everything becomes fun, even just walking. Or smiling and laughing for no reason. I have strange memories of becoming so obsessed with a song or book during these phases because something about them seem divinely incredible at the time. In hindsight it was more likely my mood, not the song or book itself- because never since then has any song or book captured me in the way they did when I felt, well, hypomanic. Happiness is a strange thing. I actually feel appreciative to be gaining this insight on the truth that it’s not purely positive, like so many people assume happiness to be. As a writer I find that idea poetic and even beautiful. Life just isn’t about the pleasure principle at the end of the day, you know? If I’ve learned anything through this struggle, it’s that. The true purpose of life is to find something in it that is meaningful. True happiness shouldn’t be defined by its quantity; it should be defined by its quality. And the best happiness is the kind that sits gently in the middle. Although I have struggled a lot over the past few months, I feel enlightened and grateful to have had this revelation. I hope that going forward I can now be better at recognizing my moods and managing my mental health. Hope everyone else is doing well. ❤️

Thank you for sharing this with all of us ❤❤

i just binged cleaned my home for 12 hours and even painted it on a week day 😅 so i guess im in mania 😅😅😅

I always know when I'm depressed and irritated, I usually know when I'm hypomanic but not always

Thank you ❤

Thank you

I can relate all of them... I realise it

I love your video's you've helped me understand someone I love very dearly. I would like to see something maybe about mixed episodes and how that can be if possible, I don't see much about that.. Thank you for all you do and doing your best to inform people to get rid of the stigma surrounding this.

I am type 2 bipolar when I am trying to pinpoint what I am feeling I usually try to stop things from coming in and try to seperate myself from people for a minute. Even if its going to the restroom to be alone which I do for multiple theraputic reasons like its a neutral environment. It never really changes so I can gauge if my mood is elevated or something when I am in there.

Just diagnosed - finding the concept of “mood” confusing. Previously I thought mood and emotion were the same thing.

Great video, very helpful....We would like tips on how a bipolar person to trust another person help gauge a mood when the one with bipolar is in a irrational state of mind, e.g. my husband agreed to trust and allow me to let him know when he is in a negative mind place, but when he is having irrational thoughts he does not keep to the agreement...Thanks, much appreciate what you are doing for others, and yourself.

oh man just thank you im a polar warrior now

Well put video,thank you

Great video! Thank you for sharing your topics with us! I just love your channel.

I also tend to get violent during mania, i also experience grandiosoty, over the top social, just about unlimited energy. Its bad. Been hospitalised many times. Worst of all is, i have a hard time recognizing what state im in.

So helpful as always ❤❤❤❤❤❤

Thanks

How people react when you tell them you got bipolar is a good indicator to measure how developed a person is. I once heard a guy say: I don't believe in mental illness 😂 I mean, how under developed can a grown man be? Every organ in our bodies can have a defect. But the most complicated organ we have can not go wrong? F me how do these people even take care of themselves..

I'm thinking bout moving away this heckhole or could be worse but because of the drama around here where I live

Thanks so much for this.

I had BD too and i knew of what's going on with me & i'm unhappy for it & i want to take control the mood swings i got. I have also alot of sleep in day time while i felt tired for no reason eventhough im not taking a meds for sleeping.

This is an amazing video. Thank you so much Mr. Whittaker!!!! 🙏🏾

Wow, this hits so hard lol. I’m trying to understand myself more and track my moods. These markers will help! An easy one for me is irritability… there’s no denying that one haha

Best video yet. This will help me so much. Thank u.

My Dr told me diagnose before 1 year I think I have BD since I was 14 cause when I'm looking back i had mania so long and after this was deep fall in to the depression. Thank you for your videos here, after watching some videos I know what about is this illnes 😜💋❤

I'm sure I can say this without sounding weird in this context. Once I really looked at your background Rob, looking at it reminded me of my manic times and started to induce those profound excited manic feelings - these patterns from deep nature! I went completely into it looking at an awesome Ordnance Survey map of the New Forest, UK. What can we do? - Ask you to film against plain backgrounds?? Never may that happen 😁

I'm still posting when depressed but when manic I post alot of selfies and my other posts are all over the place topic wise

hope you are well. thanks for sharing