rapid cycling/mixed episodes

What are they? Is there a difference in the two?
I am either depressed, cant sit still or anxious or
sometimes all at the same time.

Rapid cycling is something that is experienced by some BP II patients. It means that there are more than 4 cycles of depression to mania/hypomania a year.

You also get ultra-rapid or even ultradian cycling. It just means the time between a depressive episode and manic/hypomanic episode is shorter.

Mixed episodes are not very well understood nor researched. You experience some symptoms of depression and some symptoms or mania.
It often includes anxiety and irritability

This is from answer.com

"A mixed episode is essentially an episode that simultaneously presents symptoms of both depression and mania. For example, an individual with bipolar disorder (manic depression) may have all the frantic energy of mania, but may also be struggling with the black thoughts of depression. Found here are resources and information regarding this type of episode."

I'm pretty sure I've had a number of mixed episodes and for me they are full of anxiety and wild thoughts.

I had a mixed affective episode while on lithium a few weeks back. It was pretty intense stuff. I guess they called it an agitated depressive mixed episode. But. The way it felt to me was, i was cycling from being really depressed and crying to being cheerful in the span of about an hour or two, then going back and forth for about a week or so. It ended with an hour or two of rage, and a lot of anger as it sort of climaxed and imploded in on me. I'm glad I wasn't around my friends, because i was thinking some wild stuff, and none of it was positive; very black things.

One of the reasons i went off lithium/meds. But that's for another time.

I think this is what i'm going through right now.

I've been extremely anxious during a major depressive episode. My mind races and I can either be very fidgety or have no energy.

For me mixed episodes include visual and auditory hallucinations. I felt like I wanted to crawl out of my skin. They are said to have the highest rates of suicide/attempts and this has been my experience too.

My suggestion would be to discuss with your Psychiatrist. It may be an indication that your meds aren't doing what they should.

Oh I forgot to mention, I am offically diagnosed w/ Bi Polar type II w/ Rapid Cycle. Rapid Cycle is sustained mood, like depressed, or manic/hypo-manic for a period of time. For me, it's usually a week or two for manic/hypo-manic. Depression has, in the past, lead to several weeks or months, and can be severe major depression w/ suicide ideation.

Everyone is unique, though; everyone has slightly to significant different brain chemistry. But, typically, rapid cycle is defined as 4 or more episodes/year. For me, it's much much more as I tend to phase in/out of normal mood into depression, and occasionally hypo-mania.

Mixed Affective episodes are a mix if depression and mania in a particular order. Like, mania over depression, or depression over mania. If that makes sense.

vanmeekp, the biggest difference is that the mixed are completely simultaneous.
I've heard it said that BPII doesn't have mixed. I beg to differ, and believe that some day this will be recognized. Not often, but I definitely have had them and they are awful!!! I have absolutely no doubt that what blueoctober said is true. I have often thought that that state would be my demise, and very nearly has been. It is impetuous, frenetic and desperate. Mix in self-loathing and it's a recipe for disaster.

I am suffering from this and it is affecting my relationships with daughter, family, boy friend and friends. I am currently on a powerful anti depressent, but still feel anxious all of the time, and have difficulty relaxing, and severe mood swings. It makes me feel like there is something wrong with me.

Welcome megannadams. Are you on a mood stabilizer along with the anti-d? If not that may be part of the problem.

This is already pretty well explained above but yes, there is a difference between rapid cycling and mixed episodes.

Mixed episodes are when you experience some of the characteristics of mania and depression at the same time. Mine are terrible and usually include hallucinations, lots of energy, paranoia, loathing, anger, etc.

Rapid cycling is defined as 4 or more episodes a year. When I'm un-medicaed I cycle about every 5-10 minutes. It's also a horrible, terrible, terrifying experience. When you cycle that fast it's impossible to predict what's going to happen next. Most people who rapid cycle do not cycle that fast so it might not terrify them like it scares me but everyone's different.

I've experienced a mixed episode or 2, the last 1 was incredibly horrific. I don't understand HOW they can say BPII people don't experience mixed episodes...

I truely believe BP II people can experience mixed episodes too!

mostly I think I have mixed episodes. basically i feel physically manic - my skin is crawling and i cant stop moving, also my mind is racing but i just have nothing but negative thoughts, i hate myself. There is nothing about these states that feels good, or even "okay" to deal with. These have been the times where i've attempted suicide. they are awful

I was thinking the same thing, blueoctober. It was certainly my personal experience. I was doing even worse (on ADs alone), and like you, vanmeekp, questioned what on earth could be wrong with me. Along the lines of... but I've got meds now! Why is everything so horrible, no matter what they try?! It must just be that I am a horrible person and a hopeless case! That is, assuming the problem lay with me, and it turned out it was the wrong dx and the wrong meds that were the problem.

And of course, welcome, vanmeekpk! Hope you find this a helpful place.

I'm another case of bp II with mixed episodes. And apparently my new pdoc agrees its possible as she dx'd me with bp II and immediately identified my mood as mixed. It is a very uncomfortable feeling.

I also agree that an anti-depressant is not enough to control a mixed mood.

Oh, and hi bipolar forum people. I'm new here too. First post, other than intro post.

M, hope you make lotsa friends here among our PC family!

Mixed episodes are notoriously hard to treat with meds, but definitely a mood stabilizer is needed, according to my dr. He also put me on Abilify for them and it reduced the severity and frequency to a manageable level. Coping skills help with the leftovers.