Life-Chart Methodology: a long past and a short history

Bipolar Disord. 2006 Apr;8(2):200-2. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-5618.2006.00301.x.

Abstract

Objectives: Nowadays, the use of the Life-Chart Methodology is common in bipolar disorder clinics. Our aim was to present a chart from the Archives of the University Heidelberg (Germany).

Methods: The clinical case records dating from Emil Kraepelin's direction of the Psychiatric Clinic at Heidelberg were systematically screened.

Results: Among the clinical records of patients suffering from manic depressive illness we located one record with a detailed charting of the clinical course.

Conclusions: The chart reviewed shows that the Life-Chart Method was used more than a hundred years ago and for the same purpose, as an aid to clinicians.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bipolar Disorder / history*
  • Bipolar Disorder / psychology
  • History, 19th Century
  • Humans
  • Life Change Events*
  • Psychiatry / history*
  • Psychiatry / methods