Bipolar Early Warning Signs & Action Plan
Identify personal early warning signs for both depression and mania/hypomania, and create a stepped action plan for each mood polarity.
Written by Tarun Vermani, Trainee Clinical Psychologist Last reviewed
Assign and Download open signup, then return you to this worksheet. No card required. Resource access depends on your plan or trial. Already have an account? Sign in
Worksheet preview
Bipolar Early Warning Signs & Action Plan
PreviewLive preview — type in any field to try it. Nothing is saved here.
My Baseline (When Stable)
Depression Early Warning Signs
| # | Warning Sign | Area | Who Notices? | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||||
| 2 | ||||
| 3 |
Depression Action Plan
Mania / Hypomania Early Warning Signs
| # | Warning Sign | Area | Who Notices? | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||||
| 2 | ||||
| 3 |
Mania / Hypomania Action Plan
Key Contacts
| # | Name | Role | Contact | What They Should Do | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||||
| 2 |
Try it here — nothing you type is saved. Sign up to assign it and let clients complete it on any device.
When to use the Bipolar Early Warning Signs & Action Plan
The Bipolar Early Warning Signs & Action Plan is an interactive cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) worksheet, most often used in CBT for bipolar disorder. It is also commonly drawn on when working with depression and low mood.
It is designed to be used within therapy rather than as a standalone self-help tool: a therapist introduces it, works through it collaboratively, and helps make sense of what it surfaces. You can preview the full worksheet above, then assign it digitally for clients to complete between sessions on any device — or download it as a print-ready PDF.
How it works
Most people work through it in around 25 minutes. It moves through six short steps:
- My Baseline (When Stable)
- Depression Early Warning Signs
- Depression Action Plan
- Mania / Hypomania Early Warning Signs
- Mania / Hypomania Action Plan
- Key Contacts
Completed on the Formulate platform, your client's answers are saved automatically and shared straight back to you, so you can review them before the next session rather than waiting for a paper copy to come back.
The CBT approach behind it
In common with other CBT methods, the Bipolar Early Warning Signs & Action Plan works by putting clear, personalised coping steps in place for difficult moments. The aim is not positive thinking but a clearer, shared understanding of what keeps a difficulty going — and practical, testable ways to change it.
Because it is a CBT tool it stays focused on the here-and-now links between thoughts, feelings, the body and behaviour, and it works best as one part of a wider course of therapy rather than as advice or a diagnosis.
Evidence & sources
This worksheet is grounded in established cognitive behavioural therapy theory and practice. Key sources include:
- Beck, A.T., Rush, A.J., Shaw, B.F., & Emery, G. (1979). Cognitive Therapy of Depression. New York: Guilford Press.
- Greenberger, D. & Padesky, C.A. (2016). Mind Over Mood (2nd ed.). New York: Guilford Press.
For use alongside professional support
Formulate provides educational CBT resources for use with a qualified therapist. They are not a substitute for professional assessment, diagnosis, or crisis care.
If you need urgent help now:
- Emergency services: 999 — if you or someone else is in immediate danger
- Samaritans: 116 123 — free, day or night, 365 days a year
- SANEline: 0800 689 5555 — 4:30pm–10:30pm, every day
More Bipolar Disorder worksheets
View all Bipolar Disorder worksheets →Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Longitudinal Formulation
A longitudinal formulation for bipolar disorder — mapping life events, episode patterns, and maintaining factors across time.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Mood Diary
Track daily mood on a depression-euthymia-hypomania/mania scale alongside sleep, medication, and key events.
Bipolar Disorder
Social Rhythm & Routine Diary
Track daily routine stability — wake time, meals, activity, social contact, and bedtime — as routine disruption is a key trigger for mood episodes.
Bipolar Disorder
Pro-Mania Beliefs Worksheet
Identify and challenge positive beliefs about mania/hypomania that reduce motivation for relapse prevention — e.g. "I'm more creative when high."
Bipolar Disorder
Sleep Protection Plan
Create a personalised plan for protecting sleep — the single most important modifiable risk factor for mood episodes in bipolar disorder.
Want to assign this to a client?
Create a free therapist account to use the assignment and library download tools. Clients can complete assigned homework online or use a blank PDF. See how the homework workflow works.
No card required. The Free plan includes 10 worksheet uses a month. Check plan access and limits.