In a therapy session, support meeting, or at home after early warning signs have been noticed, this bipolar disorder information sheet can help people put words to the thinking changes that may happen during mania, hypomania, or mixed episodes.
This Cognitive Changes in Mania information sheet PDF is designed to make subtle thinking changes easier to recognise and discuss. It outlines how mania or hypomania can affect judgement, confidence, attention, interpretation of other people’s actions, and the speed or direction of thoughts. Rather than focusing only on mood, it helps users notice patterns such as racing ideas, reduced concentration, impulsive choices, suspicious thoughts, overconfidence, or beliefs that feel unusually certain at the time.
The handout is suitable for adults living with bipolar disorder and for people supporting them, including partners, relatives, carers, therapists, counsellors, mental health nurses, and support workers. It can be used as a printable psychoeducation resource in one-to-one sessions, group discussions, care planning conversations, relapse prevention work, or home reflection. Families may also use it as a shared language tool when talking about early warning signs in a calm and non-judgemental way.
Practical uses include:
- prompting discussion about thinking patterns that appear before or during an episode;
- supporting revision of a wellbeing plan, crisis plan, or personal early warning signs list;
- helping professionals explain why decisions, spending, social behaviour, or risk taking may feel different during elevated states.
Download or print the sheet to use alongside therapy notes, worksheets, care plans, or other bipolar disorder support materials.
