My understanding and belief about this is that rapid cycling is 4 or more times a year. This does not mean multiple times a day. If your mood is changing multiple times a day its highly likely there is something other than Bipolar going on.

It is VERY rare to have Ultradian or ultra ultra rapid cycling cycling an in no way am I suggesting someone diganosed with it does not have it, but far far too many people self diagnose and will then neglect to find the real issues causing the mood swings.

I am so incredibly thankful that I do not rapid cycle - in any sense of the word.