Identify personal early warning signs for both depression and mania/hypomania, and create a stepped action plan for each mood polarity.
Bipolar Early Warning Signs & Action Plan
PreviewWhen I'm stable, I typically:
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Signs that I may be sliding into depression
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🟢 Mild signs (1–2 changes):
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🟡 Moderate signs (persistent >few days):
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🔴 Severe / crisis:
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Signs that I may be becoming hypomanic or manic
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🟢 Mild signs (subtle changes):
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🟡 Moderate signs (others noticing):
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🔴 Full episode / crisis:
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People who can support me
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This is a read-only preview. Sign up to assign it and let clients complete it on any device.
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.
Most people work through it in around 25 minutes. It moves through six short steps:
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.
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.
This worksheet is grounded in established cognitive behavioural therapy theory and practice. Key sources include:
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:
Sign up free and send your client a link. They complete it on any device — you review their responses before the next session.
No credit card required. 10 free worksheets every month.
Track daily mood on a depression-euthymia-hypomania/mania scale alongside sleep, medication, and key events.