Can rapid cycling happen in a day? Some people do experience significant changes in mood, such as from a state of mania to one of depression, in a single day. When mood changes happen this frequently in someone with bipolar disorder, it's called ultra-rapid cycling.
On the other hand, bipolar disorder daily mood swings are much more intense and can be much more difficult for a person to control. Their mood can change in an instant, and they won't be able to calm down or find comfort for much longer time periods.
Many people with bipolar disorder will experience two cycles per year, according to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. When someone has four or more manic, hypomanic, or depressive episodes in a 12-month period, this is called rapid cycling.
This is referred to as 'rapid cycling,' which is when someone with bipolar disorder has four or more cycles in a 12-month period. While having four or more cycles in a one-year period meets the criteria for a diagnosis of rapid-cycling bipolar illness, rapid cycling is not necessarily a permanent pattern.
Types of rapid cycling
Ultra-rapid cycling is the rapid change of moods within weeks or several days, as opposed to months. The patient will probably experience more than one episode in one month. Ultradian rapid cycling is a pattern in which rapid cycling occurs within a day or 24 hours.
Almost without exception, rapid-cycling bipolar disorder is more difficult to treat than non-rapid-cycling bipolar disorder. But certain medications may be helpful. Antidepressants such as Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine), and Zoloft (sertraline) have proven ineffective in breaking the cycle.
Rapid mood cycling can occur at any point in the course of a person's bipolar disorder diagnosis and can come and go over the course of many years, depending on whether they receive treatment. Rapid cycling is not necessarily permanent, nor does it produce an indefinite pattern of episodes.
Mood swings can occur very quickly, like a rollercoaster randomly moving from high to low and back again over a period of days or even hours. Rapid cycling can leave you feeling dangerously out of control and most commonly occurs if your bipolar disorder symptoms are not being adequately treated.
Rapid cycling feels like your mind is playing tricks on you. You are sad one minute, hyper the next, giddy, and then back to sad, teary, and wanting to hide. It's very confusing and it's scary how fast your mood can change and change and change.
Mood-stabilizing drugs -- such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), lamotrigine (Lamictal ), lithium (Lithobid), and valproate (Depakote)-- are the core treatments of rapid cycling.
Patients with rapid cycling tend to experience more depressive than manic episodes, and the depressive episodes tend to be more refractory in nature compared with those in patients without rapid cycling.
Some other risk factors for developing rapid cycling include developing bipolar disorder at a younger age, gender (higher risk in women), and having bipolar 2.
Are mood swings normal? Yes. Mild mood changes from time to time are normal, but when mood swings are severe and negatively interfere with your daily life and relationships, they may signify a more serious problem that requires help from a mental health professional.
Mania in particular tends to trigger aggressive emotions and anger. The racing thoughts and high energy levels you experience can leave you feeling angry, irritable, and frustrated. Those angry emotions, in turn, can cause aggressive and inappropriate behaviors.
These mood episodes cause symptoms that last a week or two, or sometimes longer. During an episode, the symptoms last every day for most of the day. Feelings are intense and happen with changes in behavior, energy levels, or activity levels that are noticeable to others.
If a person is not treated, episodes of bipolar-related mania can last for between 3 and 6 months. Episodes of depression tend to last longer, often 6 to 12 months. But with effective treatment, episodes usually improve.
Bipolar mania can speed up a person's thinking processes, and the person may feel as if they cannot get the words out fast enough to express their thoughts. A person with bipolar disorder may experience pressured speech during manic periods. These are periods of extreme highs.
Regular cycling stimulates and improves your heart, lungs and circulation, reducing your risk of cardiovascular diseases. Cycling strengthens your heart muscles, lowers resting pulse and reduces blood fat levels.
Signs a Manic Episode Is Ending
Slowing down and feeling less urgent and pressured all the time. Feeling more tired and getting more sleep. Being able to think more clearly, even if your memories of the manic episode are fuzzy. Making fewer impulsive decisions.
Sleep difficulties
People with mania may have trouble sleeping or feel that they have less need for sleep. It is not uncommon for someone with mania to stay awake for more than 24 hours or only sleep 3 hours a night, yet report feeling as though they have slept well.