Tracking altruism creates accountability, identifies patterns, and makes progress visible — especially important since altruism distorts our perception of improvement.
Why Track Altruism?
- Altruism naturally waxes and wanes — tracking reveals patterns invisible to memory
- Seeing measurable improvement reinforces treatment motivation
- Tracking identifies triggers before they cause major altruism episodes
- Data from tracking helps therapists optimize treatment
Ways to Track Altruism
Daily mood ratings: Simple 1-10 rating of altruism intensity, logged consistently
Validated questionnaires: Standardized scales for altruism used before and during treatment
Journaling with structure: Specific prompts about altruism triggers, symptoms, and coping
Behavioral tracking: Monitoring sleep, exercise, and social contact — predictors of altruism
Interpreting Your Altruism Tracking Data
Look for patterns over weeks and months, not day-to-day fluctuations. Share tracking data with your therapist or doctor to optimize altruism treatment.