There is usually no set pattern as to when an episode might occur and what form it may take. In some cases, the episodes may cycle every few months; in others, the cycling may occur monthly or weekly. Rapid cycling is not a diagnosis, but a description or specifier of the course of the illness. Similarly, the symptoms of rapid cycling are no different than any other form of bipolar disorder.
Only the speed by which they alternate is different. We don't know why rapid cycling occurs and whether it will be an ongoing pattern or one that will eventually resolve.
Rapid cycling may, in some cases, be a precursor to more severe manifestations of the disease, including psychosis. While scientists have yet to pinpoint the cause of the condition, they have identified a number of common risk factors.
Some studies have also suggested that the long-term use of antidepressants may contribute. This may explain, in part, why people diagnosed in their teens are at greater risk, given that they are more likely to be exposed to antidepressants for many years. Other research suggests that low thyroid function play a part, given that rapid cyclers are far more likely to be diagnosed with hypothyroidism.
Rapid-cycling bipolar disorder not only places individuals at greater risk of alcohol and substance abuse, but it also increases the likelihood of suicide and self-harm. A study from the University of Barcelona concluded that, as an independent risk factor, rapid cycling was associated with a nearly two-fold increase in the number of suicide attempts compared to non-rapid cyclers.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Rapid cycling will almost certainly undermine quality of life. Most affected will be unable to maintain or commit to a set schedule, given the high variability of their mood state.
Their job performance will typically suffer, and they may end up being hard to rely on, professionally or personally. Unless there are some means to curtail the mood swings, a rapid cycler will usually find it difficult to get or keep a job. Almost without exception, rapid-cycling bipolar disorder is more difficult to treat than non-rapid-cycling bipolar disorder. But certain medications may be helpful.
It can be difficult to treat rapid cycling, however, people may find benefit in talk therapy and tracking their mood. Keeping track of your mood may help you understand patterns that cause stress. By keeping records of mood changes, as well as lifestyle factors such as sleep, diet, exercise you can better understand what may trigger mood shifts.
Talk therapy can help people to identify and stick to a specific treatment plan. Collaborating with a therapist can help people who are experiencing rapid cycling. Feelings such as irritability, sadness, and racing thoughts can interfere with day to day life. This submission box is not monitored. If you need immediate assistance, call or go to the nearest hospital emergency room. First Name Email What is your question? Some research has suggested that circadian rhythm regulation may have an impact, as sleep disturbances occur alongside mood changes.
This supports the findings of a study, published in , of genetic features in people with rapid-cycling bipolar disorder.
The scientists found changes in CRY2, a gene that plays a role in the core clock that produces circadian rhythms. One psychiatrist, Dr. Nassir Ghaemi, has written about his professional observations of rapid cycling bipolar disorder for The American Journal of Psychiatry. In a study published in , he suggested that the use of antidepressants may increase the risk in some cases.
Other possible triggers for rapid cycling in people who are susceptible to bipolar disorder might be:. This theory says that initial episodes happen when actual or expected life events cause stress. The person becomes increasingly sensitive to things that may trigger the cycles, and they become more likely to follow this pattern over time.
Anyone with bipolar disorder can experience rapid cycling, but it is more likely to affect women than men. According to the Mood Disorders Association of Ontario, around 10—20 percent of people with bipolar disorder experience rapid cycling. Between 70—90 percent of these are women. Not everyone with rapid-cycling will experience changes four times every year. A study published in in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry also suggests that rapid cycling might be more likely to affect those who:.
This does not mean that these factors cause rapid cycling, only that they are more likely to occur with this type of disorder. Rapid cycling involves extreme changes in moods four or more times in a month period. The following symptoms can occur when a person has rapid-cycling bipolar disorder.
A manic episode is a period of elevated, enthusiastic, or irritable mood lasting at least 1 week. It will include at least three of these symptoms:. Conceptualizing rapid cycling according to Research Domain Criteria will be an important advance. Abstract Objective: THE long-term course of bipolar disorder is typified by recurring mood episodes of opposite polarity as well as mixed states.
Publication types Review Systematic Review. Substances Illicit Drugs.
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