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Old Jul 29, 2013, 01:10 PM
ultramar ultramar is offline
Poohbah
 
Member Since: Mar 2013
Location: USA
Posts: 1,486
Quote:
Originally Posted by Secretum View Post
Ultramar, I don't know if the OP is bipolar or not. But I can tell you, as someone who has cycled within minutes, that there is such a thing as "ultra-ultra-ultra rapid cycling". Google the term "ultradian cycling bipolar". You will find research articles on bipolar that cycles within a 24 hour period. It is not typical or common, but it DOES happen.

According to the DSM, you're right. A depressive episode must last 2 weeks, a hypomanic episode 4 days, and a manic episode 1 week. But the DSM is far from perfect. When I was first diagnosed, I told the doctor that I didn't think I was bipolar because I cycled too quickly. Her reply? "Not everyone's body conforms to the DSM".

My psychiatrist has told me that I have a "cyclothymic temperament" on top of my bipolar disorder. This makes me susceptible to frequent mood swings, and gives me a very complex cycling pattern. I have depressions that last for months, but during a typical day of depression I will experience tiny pockets of elevated (even to the point of being hypomanic) mood. Perhaps the OP has a similar situation.

I have been evaluated by 4 psychiatrists. They all agree that I'm bipolar. When I ask them if I'm borderline, they look at me funny. I'm clearly bipolar and I have cycled very quickly.
This makes a lot of sense to me and I'm really glad you shared it. It sounds like the cyclothymic temperament on top of the bipolar makes it pretty unique, and as you say very complex