Different types of bipolar disorder exist and you are probably wondering which is the one that has that is the one which afflicts you. If you have been experiencing four or more episodes of mania, hypomania, or depressive episodes in any 12-month period then you are probably suffering from the one called rapid cycling bipolar disorder. We’ll tell you all about it but before we do that, let’s give you some good news first, which is that this type of bipolar disorder is temporary for some people and you could be one of them.
Let’s talk about bipolar disorder first
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong mental condition that most commonly appears for the first time in young adults. It is characterized by symptoms that lie on the opposite ends of the mood spectrum because it relates to starkly different moods: Mania and depressive episodes. The changes in episodes and the intensity of these moods are so high and different that it affects the executive functioning of the affected individual. If something affects executive functioning (daily life activities) then it is known to be debilitating for the one who is affected. There are many different types of bipolar disorder, with bipolar I and bipolar II being the most common ones. Rapid cycling is a bit uncommon but nonetheless is one of its types. But let’s talk about the rapid cycling bipolar disorder.
Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder
The main feature of this type of bipolar disorder is the frequent back and forth between the episodes. The transition between these episodes follows this track: From mania or hypomania to depression and back again. As mentioned before, this track is followed through like this: four or more episodes of mania, hypomania, or depressive episodes in any 12-month period.
These happenings are random and can last for days and even weeks. For some, rapid cycling is shorter and for some it’s longer, the period varies from person to person. This pattern makes it difficult for people to function. This rapid cycling pattern occurs in about 10% to 20% of people with the disorder. Women, and people with bipolar II disorder, are more likely to experience periods of rapid cycling.
Read More: Bipolar disorder: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Causes & Treatment
Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder Symptoms
Symptoms of Rapid Cycling Bipolar’s Mania Episode
These are the symptoms of the mania episode of rapid cycling:
- Excessive physical energy
- Excessive mental energy
- Worsening sleep patterns
- Anger and irritability
- Aggressiveness and uncontrollable outbursts
- Impulsivity
- Racing thoughts and distorted speech
- Reality distortion and self-confidence
- Exaggerated thinking
Symptoms of Rapid Cycling Bipolar’s Depressive Episode
Signs and symptoms of a depressive episode can include:
- Extreme sadness
- Episodes of crying
- Pessimist thinking
- Indifference
- Lack of energy and fatigue
- Disordered sleep patterns
- Aches and pains
- Irritability
- Anxiety & agitation
- Anger
- Feelings of worthless, hopeless, or guilty
- Lack of concentration & forgetfulness
- Loss of interest in things you once enjoyed
- Withdrawal from social situations
- Alcohol dependence or other substance abuse
- Suicidal thinking
Who Causes Rapid Cycling?
The causes of rapid cycling bipolar disorder are known throughout but are extremely considerable in terms of numbers. Keeping that in mind, we can say rapid cycling bipolar disorder can come into existence due to a different range of factors. Let’s talk about them:
Imbalance of Circadian Rhythm
Circadian rhythms represent the 24-hour cycle that people experience each day, which keeps in sync with dusk and dawn, sleep, and activity. If your circadian rhythm is off the kilter, then there is a high chance that you will experience symptoms of rapid cycling bipolar.
Antidepressants
If you have been suffering from the symptoms related to rapid cycling bipolar disorder and are also on antidepressants prescribed for another mental condition then chances are you are probably suffering from it(1). Experts believe are against the use of antidepressants in individuals living with bipolar, especially for the long term. Before changing medication, talk to your mental health expert as without first consulting with them you might be walking into an abyss. Mood stabilizers are a better way to treat bipolar cycling!
Underlying Health Conditions
Possible triggers for rapid cycling in people who are susceptible to bipolar disorder might be ailments like hypothyroidism, certain neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, developmental delay, or even a head injury.
Kindling
Also called sensitization to stress, it might be another possible culprit of rapid cycling. If this is to be believed, initial episodes happen when actual or expected life events cause stress. During kindling a person becomes increasingly sensitive to things that may trigger the bipolar cycling, and they are more likely to follow this pattern over time as this starts to become a habit. Without treatment, bipolar disorder and episodes of stress can result in rapid cycling.
Read More: Bipolar disorder in adults: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
Risks Associated With Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder
The most apparent risk of rapid cycling bipolar disorder is suicide and it is also the most critical one. Individuals who have this type of bipolar disorder with bipolar cycling are essentially on the verge of suicide. This is because they are 10 to 20 times more likely to commit suicide, especially when one of the episodes is high on the spectrum. These odds of suicidal outcomes increase tenfold with the diagnosis of rapid cycling bipolar.
Treatment reduces the likelihood of serious depression and suicide, no matter which bipolar type one is suffering from. Lithium, in particular, taken long-term, has been shown to reduce the risk of these odds. Affected individuals are more likely to wallow in alcohol dependence or substance abuse as more severe or poorly controlled bipolar disorder often leads to alcohol dependency or substance addiction.
Who Is Likely To Have Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder?
A 2014 research study(2), suggests that rapid cycling usually affects those who have a higher propensity for:
- bipolar symptoms for a longer period of time
- being younger when bipolar symptoms first appeared
- being more prone to substance and alcohol abuse
- for a higher risk of suicide
Although this does not mean that these factors cause rapid cycling, it suggests the presence of these points makes the rapid cycling bipolar disorder likely to occur. In addition to that, it is more likely to affect women than men.
Rapid Cycling Bipolar Treatment
To eliminate the signs of rapid cycling bipolar, treatment is compulsory. There are two kinds of treatment methods that can help with the treatment of rapid cycling bipolar disorder.
Tracking Your Mood Cycles
When it comes to rapid cycling bipolar treatment, tracking your stress and mood cycles can be of tremendous help. This is because tracking helps you understand patterns that cause stress. You can use the tracking to see what ticks your stress clock or when the mood changes and make necessary adjustments through lifestyle factors such as sleep, diet, and exercise you can regulate and maintain mood shifts.
Psychotherapy
Also called talk therapy, it can help you or the sufferer come to terms with the type of mental condition you or they are suffering from. This way you can find better resolutions for your mental condition and get rid of the negative thinking associated with them.
Psychiatric Medication Management
If complete mood stabilization is the goal of the treatment, with medication that is difficult to attain. Experts believe that the use of lithium and lamotrigine in the prevention of cycling in bipolar disorder is sufficiently advantageous. Lamotrigine is particularly good at treating patients with predominant depression and rapid cycling bipolar II. Divalproex is a first-line option in rapid cycling bipolar disorder. It is better to take advice from an expert for better recommendations on the dosage and prescription for using medication to treat bipolar rapid cycling. We can also provide the monitoring of these medications.
Read More: Bipolar disorder in children: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
Conclusion
We are at the end but now you have an idea about the possible outcome of rapid cycling bipolar disorder. Additionally, you also know about possible options for rapid cycling bipolar treatment, which you can get from the Inland Empire Behavioral Group. This is because it is more than capable of treating mental conditions like this one and others like depression, anxiety, OCD, or eating disorders with the help of treatment methods such as the one described and alternative methods like telehealth psychiatry.
