Life has its ups and downs, and so do your emotions. It’s natural to feel happy one day and a bit down the next. However, experiencing euphoria for a while before having intense negative emotions may point in the direction of a bipolar disorder diagnosis.
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that involves atypical changes in mood and energy levels. People with this mood disorder experience periods of heightened energy and euphoria, known as manic episodes. Those episodes may be followed by feelings of overwhelming sadness and fatigue, known as depressive episodes.
Bipolar disorder doesn’t look the same for everyone who is diagnosed with it. There’s bipolar I and II, which are differentiated by the severity of the episodes. Bipolar II has hypomanic episodes, meaning the symptoms are a bit more mild than those with bipolar I. But it’s also possible to have many episodes in a short period of time, known as rapid cycling.
Read on to learn the basics about rapid cycling bipolar disorder as well as what signs and symptoms it can cause. Then we’ll dive into treatment options, including those we provide at Guidelight Health.
What is rapid cycling bipolar disorder?
Rapid cycling isn’t a separate diagnosis from bipolar I or II. It’s actually a certain feature that can develop in any type of bipolar disorder. It refers to having frequent switches between manic/hypomanic and depressive episodes.
A person with bipolar disorder will often experience two episodes in a year, though it’s possible to have just one. However, rapid cycling doubles the average, meaning that you have at least four episodes in the span of twelve months.
Rapid cycling doesn’t always occur from the start, as it can be temporary. Or you may have more frequent episodes as time goes on. But it affects up to 20% of people with bipolar disorder.
12 signs and symptoms of rapid cycling
Since rapid cycling isn’t its own bipolar disorder diagnosis, the signs and symptoms are the same. However, by learning about what an episode looks like, you can gain a better understanding of when one is occurring. If they are occurring multiple times throughout the year, it’s time to talk to your providers about rapid cycling and if a change in your current treatment is necessary.
Six signs and symptoms of manic/hypomanic episodes:
- Excessive joy and excitement
- Restlessness
- Heightened irritability or agitation
- Racing thoughts that interfere with concentration
- Feeling unusually self-important or an inflated self-esteem
- Engaging in impulsiveness or risky behavior
Here are six signs and symptoms of depressive episodes:
- Feeling empty or hopeless
- Difficulty finding pleasure in activities you used to enjoy (Anhedonia)
- Lack of motivation
- Fatigue or feeling sluggish
- Changes in appetite or sleeping patterns
- Self-harm or thoughts of suicide
If you’re at risk to yourself or others, call or text 988, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Treating rapid cycling in bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is often treated through a combination of medication (mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, or other medications as prescribed) and therapy (cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy). Lifestyle adjustments can also be effective. The goal is to help reduce the severity and frequency of episodes to reduce their impact on your quality of life. If left untreated, it can have a significant impact on your productivity, relationships and sense of self.
If you’re experiencing rapid cycling, changes in your treatment plan may be necessary. Talk to your providers to determine if adjustments in your medication need to be made, or if there needs to be a change in the therapeutic approach.
Guidelight provides treatment options for rapid cycling bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that about 2.8% of U.S. adults have had in the past year. While many people experiencing episodes, even rapid cycling episodes, can improve their overall well-being through medication and regular outpatient therapy, more intensive support may be helpful for some people. That’s where Guidelight comes in.
At Guidelight, we provide higher levels of support for when you’re experiencing severe bipolar disorder symptoms, including rapid cycling, that’s interfering with your daily functioning.
Here are the three programs we provide:
CBT and DBT strategies are used in both individual and group sessions to help you develop strategies to manage your symptoms long after your treatment with us is over. Our PHP also includes medication management.
Everyone has a seat at Guidelight. Contact our team online or call us today for more information about rapid cycling bipolar disorder or to schedule an initial evaluation.