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Apr 18, 2013, 07:58 PM
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Member Since: Mar 2013
Location: USA
Posts: 1,486
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I'm not very familiar with rapid (and ultra-rapid) cycling bipolar disorder, so I did some research (National Institute of Health):
Rapid cycling is defined as four or more manic, hypomanic, or depressive episodes in any 12-month period.
According to the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria, symptoms must last at least 4 days to merit the diagnosis of a hypomanic episode.
But clearly, from what I've seen here, some people experience changes more than 4 times a year (criteria for rapid cycling). So is this ultra-rapid cycling? I'm finding things here and there about it on the Internet, but not really much in terms of detailed descriptions.
It's confusing too because (per above) the DSM cites a cut-off of a minimum of 4 days for hypomania, but this would not seem to apply to ultra-rapid cycling.
So those of you who suffer with rapid or ultra rapid: what is your experience like? Do you not have much relief between cycles as they occur so often? Since in occurs so frequently, how hard is it to tell the difference between a new cycle and a 'non-bipolar' mood (i.e. triggered by something in the environment)? How were you diagnosed? It seems to me that this is more complicated in some ways than the 'traditional' bipolar 1 or 2.
Can you share your experiences?
Thanks.
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