Objectives-To examine the feasibility of collecting course of illness data from patients with bipolar I and II disorder, using weekly text-messaged mood ratings, and to examine the time trajectory of symptom ratings based on this method of self-report.Methods-A total of 62 patients with bipolar I (n = 47) or II (n = 15) disorder provided mood data in response to weekly cell phone text messages (n = 54) or e-mail prompts (n = 8). Participants provided weekly ratings using the Altman Self-Rating Mania Scale and the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptoms-Self Report. Patients with bipolar I and II disorder, and men and women, were compared on percentages of time in depressive or manic mood states over up to two years.Results-Participants provided weekly ratings over an average of 36 (range 1-92) weeks. Compliance with the procedure was 75%. Overall, participants reported depressive symptoms 47.7% of the time compared to 7% of entries reflecting manic symptoms, 8.8% reflecting both depressive and manic symptoms, and 36.5% reflecting euthymic mood. Participants with bipolar I disorder reported more days of depression and were less likely to improve with time than participants with bipolar II disorder. Gender differences observed at the beginning of the study were not observed at follow-up. Conclusions-The results are similar to those of other longitudinal studies of bipolar disorder that use traditional retrospective, clinician-gathered mood data. Text-message based symptom monitoring during routine follow-up may be a reliable alternative to in-person interviews.Keywords illness course; mood chart; psychosocial treatment; short messaging service; text messaging Our limited understanding of the course of mood symptoms in bipolar disorder impedes the development of effective treatments. A greater understanding of weekly fluctuations in the course of mood symptoms in bipolar disorder could improve relapse prevention by allowing providers to intervene shortly after prodromal symptoms first appear. In the majority of longitudinal studies, illness course and treatment efficacy have been measured using observer-rated scales obtained under artificial conditions of incentive. Furthermore, most investigators collect mood data from patients retrospectively. Asking participants to recall

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