![]() |
FAQ/Help |
Calendar |
Search |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
I have read a few experiences of people who have mixed moods that cycle from one extreme to the other rather than both at the same time, I'd like to hear more about it if anyone cares to share.
I've only had 2 mixed states (diagnosed by 2 separate pdocs) but it was very different to my mood moving from one extreme to the other, it was both at the same time. Like I had this angry red hot energy inside of me and nothing I could do would ease it - from SI to vigorous exercise to trying to sleep. Depressively explosive, horny as hell, feeling dangerous, very sad but very mad all at once. With energy to burn. I've only ever lasted 3 days in this state before I've gone running for help and been drugged to the eyeballs. Is this typical of a mixed mood? I have ultra rapid cycled before too - on antidepressants. My mood changed from one extreme to the other, one moment depressed, the next manic. It was a crazy ride and hard to convince my pdocs that it was not usual for me and I suspected it was the meds (I was in hospital at the time). Off antidepressants I have never cycled like that (I dont usually cycle more than once a year). Do people experience mixed states similar to that? Both are unpleasant. Im interested to hear what are your mixed episodes like? |
![]() wing
|
![]() wing
|
#2
|
||||
|
||||
I've been there too, one moment depressed and the next hypomanic, some days I would also feel like I'm having a mixed episode. Things settled by themselves eventually, without meds. Now I am only severe depressed most of the time with very rare hypomanic episodes, like one once every two or three days (it's rare in comparison to what has been before).
|
#3
|
||||
|
||||
I cycled in and out of moods twice a day or more for 3 months after quitting my meds cold turkey.
Gosh it was exhausting and confusing as all fk!! I've only had 3 mixed episodes though, depressive and hypo symptoms simultaneously. Man I thought I was losing my marbles for good and actually attempted to rip out some of my hair. It just broke though, need more upper body strength ![]() Besides the destructive energy, I really HATED the CONSTANT skin crawling anxiety, I felt like I wanted to jump out of my skin, was really tempted to carve my leg open to let all the anxiety out! ![]() ![]() The only good part of my mixed episodes is that they only lasted 3 or 4 days.
__________________
![]() DXD BP1, BPD & OCPD ![]() |
#4
|
||||
|
||||
It really is hard to tell some times, if it's a mixed cycling rapidly or if your simply going in and out of depression to baseline because anything after depression even baseline can feel like your elevated. That's exactly what is going on right now with me. Yesterday I was so depressed I had thoughts of death which is rare for me. Then later that nite I seemed to be back to baseline but could not get to sleep. I took 200mg of Seroquel which usually knocks me out, only made me yawn and I got no sleep. Right now I feel ok. I have had more rapid cycles but as my T reminded me it's some times hard to tell if it's really a hypmanic or baseline coming out of a low depression.
__________________
Follow me on Twitter @PsychoManiaNews |
![]() ChaoticSymphony
|
#5
|
||||
|
||||
When I was mixed the best I can describe it is the energy of mania with the thoughts of depression. It was the most dangerous for me because I had zero impulse control. Both times I had to be hospitalized because I could not trust myself to avoid suicide. Both times I engaged in self Injury. Like trippin, I remember extreme agitation, to the point that I absolutely could not sit still. I had to pace. Caused problems at work for sure because the distress was fairly evident on my face. I resorted to literally scratching welts into my arms to calm myself. It was terrible both times. I will never take the chance of taking an antidepressant again.
__________________
Of course it is happening inside your head. But why on earth should that mean that it is not real? -Albus Dumbledore That’s life. If nothing else, that is life. It’s real. Sometimes it f—-ing hurts. But it’s sort of all we have. -Garden State |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
I am just curious as to the difference between "rapid cycling" and mixed mood. I have seen people saying that their mixed moods are a rapid cycling between the two, is this as diagnosed by a pdoc? Can you truly be in a mixed state that is similar ultra rapid cycling (not caused by medications or otherwise)? When I ultra rapid cycled in hospital, it was never implied that was mixed, they actually started looking for diagnosis other than bipolar, thank god I got off those meds. My mixed states were very definitely both extremes at once, no switching, just both. Horrible. Are there other types of mixed states?
Last edited by Anonymous200280; Jan 21, 2014 at 09:44 PM. |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
I think that mixed episodes and rapid cycling are 2 separate things. I have had where I'm severely depressed then in the afternoon switch to uncomfortably energized but no longer depressed. Other times I know it is mixed, usually being hopeless and suicidal along with the physical in-your-body agitation, excess energy and inability to stand still like others described. The mixed episodes seem worse. I don't know if I could stand it if they lasted more than a week.
|
![]() wing
|
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Thanks yeah, I was thinking along the same lines... But I have seen dozens of people claim mixed states when their mood switches from one to the other. I just want to know is this truly a mixed state or are people getting their wires crossed as to what a mixed state is?
The misunderstandings of bipolar on this forum are starting to confuse me! |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
I think I had a mixed state last night- I was up all night like I was hypomanic, but had dark depression with suicidal ideation at the same time. Today I am happy as a lark. I have a feeling a regular hypomania is to follow this weekend.
|
#10
|
|||
|
|||
It seems to me that my p-doc spoke of me having "rapid cycling" and "mixed states." I pretty much got the idea that whatever you call it, it is sheer HELL to go through. I've had those awful mood swings/rapidly changing last for months - until I get on high med doses.
|
#11
|
|||
|
|||
Cycling over and over within one day, as far as I have always been led to believe is more common among people with other disorders instead of bipolar. When I cycled that quickly (as a result of antidepressants) they were looking for other diagnosis's as cycling that quickly is very rare in bipolar. I have been told this by multiple pdocs, and from my own research into the topic. I am genuinely interested to know more so please do not see this information as an attack on any of you.
How common is it for people to be told they are "rapid cycling" or having a "mixed state" when their moods are rapidly changing within the day? Is this a misdiagnosis or is there evidence to support that "rapid cycling" within one day (with a BP diagnosis) is more common than the psychiatric community knows? Last edited by Anonymous200280; Jan 25, 2014 at 02:38 AM. |
#12
|
||||
|
||||
Probably very tricky! As I said some times just coming out of a deep depressive mood and going to baseline could feel like hypomanic because any thing is elevated from depression. But rapid cycling I think is more in and out of each. Rapid cycling is four or more manic, hypomanic, or depressive episodes in any 12-month period. Ultra Rapid is not in the DSM but is recognized by many pdocs as legit, and ultra would be like more then 4 in a month. There is also ultra, ultra rapid cycling is also not in the DSM yet but is considered legit by many pdocs is even more crazy, could be several per week or per day.
Rapid is more common then ultra, and ultra more common then ultra-ultra. Not sure how common mixed is compared to rapid cycling. Mixed is both at the same time. Like you described it earlier. It has to be really difficult to distinguish the difference even if you are the one having it. It seems the bipolar spectrum gets wider and wider every year ![]()
__________________
Follow me on Twitter @PsychoManiaNews |
#13
|
|||
|
|||
I, too, believed that rapid-cycling mixed-states occurring during the course of a day was more indicative of a disorder besides bipolar. But my p-doc, who seems quite knowledgeable, told me otherwise. The FEELING I have when I'm going through it is that there is a bipolar situation going on. Now, I might have a couple of borderline personality traits, but I'm definitely not BPD. According to the meds I'm on, my p-doc is treating me for bioplar disorder. It's all confusing - the diagnosis even seems to vary from doctor to doctor.
|
#14
|
|||
|
|||
There are many people put on BP meds for lessor complaints, this is the norm in the US, so meds are not an indication of diagnosis.
In my discussion with multiple pdocs they have always been very sure that daily cycling is not a BP trait. There is a lot of evidence to back this up. Is there any evidence that daily cycling in patients is caused by a true chemical mood disruption rather than triggers? I'd love to read studies if anyone has any, what I have found so far has been far from a reliable source of information. Obviously there are pdocs out there that dismiss the evidence and continue to drug patients who experience daily cycling without finding the true cause. Is a BP for these patients a cop out so they can justify having them drugged long term? Is finding the true reason too much like hard work? Easier just to drug people and tell them they have no control over their moods? I see this as extremely detrimental to patients, and I really feel for those that are falsely led to believe that long term daily cycling is just part of BP... What can be done for these patients? |
#15
|
|||
|
|||
Meds are not necessarily an indication of diagnosis. They can, however, give a general sense of what the diagnosis is. For example, someone whose primary diagnosis is avoidant personality disorder isn't likely to be prescribed neuroleptics.
What do you think can be done for the type of patient you've described? |
#16
|
|||
|
|||
Teaching coping skills, such as mindfulness, emotional regulation and meditation for a start. Easier said than done, I know, but medicating the masses and leading them to believe nothing can be done for daily mood disruptions is detrimental. I look forward to the years ahead, I hope that the newer crop of pdocs will have a better approach to this issue than the old "drug 'em up and send them on their way".
|
![]() wildflowerchild25
|
#17
|
||||
|
||||
Mixed mania is very real and I have it often. Imagine drinking too much caffeine and being depressed. Easily agitated and extremely angry with self loathing and just want to scream. It's not rapid cycling. It is the worst of both at the same time.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
#18
|
||||
|
||||
When I went through my diagnosed mixed state I had all the classic symptoms of severe depression but I had extreme anger and irritability at the same time too. And feeling wired up with nowhere to explode the mass anger (a few inappropriate emails sent to people higher up in the food chain at work complaining about the way things were being run didn't help either because it just put the spotlight on me)
|
#19
|
|||
|
|||
I think quite a bit of the trouble is that psychiatry is not a pure hard science. Even those in the hard sciences don't agree on everything of course, but in the soft sciences (or a mixture, which is seems psychiatry would be) all the more, as it's pretty much impossible to eliminate so many other variables when doing studies. There's so much subjectivity. Which kind of sucks, because it'd be great to have rock-solid answers to work with(!)
That said, I absolutely agree with the traditional definition of Mixed State. That both extremes are SIMULTANEOUS. It wasn't until I personally experienced it that I could truly understand. It was no short burst, but a sustained state. Words fail in describing the magnitude of its awfulness. The mere memory, which is but a pale reflection of it, makes me shudder. The question of rapidity in switching is tricky. I (personally) think the official 4x of rapid is rather arbitrary, but I do think it points to a "rapid doesn't mean constant" understanding. Through my reading and observation, I'm frankly sceptical of ultra and ultradian being "genuinely" BP. I don't say that to invalidate or dismiss anyone's experience. It's just a complicated business that warrants more study, and that throwing everything under the BP umbrella isn't the answer, is ultimately a detriment to the term having meaning, and a disservice to all involved. When I'm being tossed all over, I find it's usually my emotions, not my moods. But even IF it were my moods, I would NOT consider it a mixed state. It's kind of like trying to describe full-on serious depression to someone who thinks of depression as being very sad. When one has experienced both, they know they are different beasties. It's a linguistic shortfall and the dual casual use of the word only complicates things. Not sure if that made any sense. Must go eat. ![]() |
#20
|
||||
|
||||
My mixed states are definitely a combination of high energy and low mood. I get angry, annoyed with everyone, and sometimes really paranoid. Pretty much how I feel now and definitely not much fun.
I have ultra-rapid cycling, and it's not the same as being in a mixed state. The quick cycling just means that my moods often change every few days (though I've had longer episodes of depression). It doesn't change the basic nature of my mood episodes (hypomanic, mixed, depressed, baseline), only their duration. Mixed states are usually my shortest. I think this is common. I definitely get annoyed at people, especially doctors, who deny the existence of ultra-rapid and ultradian cycling. It most certainly exists, and is NOT Borderline Personality Disorder. The distinction is ridiculously simple. BPD is caused by underlying fear of abandonment and poor/unstable self-image. Fast cycling bipolar is a chemical imbalance that happens despite perfectly secure attachments and good self-image. I had a happy childhood and have better self-esteem than a lot of "mentally healthy" people I know. None of this fixes my brain chemicals. Now, I do think it's likely we're currently classifying mood disorders caused by several different chemical processes as bipolar disorder. The root causes behind ultra-rapid cycling bipolar and slower cycling bipolar may well be different, though I think they both end with the same neurotransmitters out of balance, since the same meds seem to work for both. Science does at least know that neurotransmitter levels have the capacity to change very quickly. If they couldn't, you'd have to wait a week for your ecstasy high to kick in, and we all know it doesn't work that way. So ultra-rapid cycling is perfectly supported by our current knowledge of neurochemistry. |
#21
|
||||
|
||||
Last summer I experienced mixed big time! If someone offended me I would become
homicidal. While crying I would go after the person. This landed me in the hospital twice. Sometimes I would become manic for a little while 30 mins then start crying. Other times I would stay manic or depressed for a few days 2 or 3 then which to the other. This was while I was in the hospital. I had to stay util it was under control. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
#SpoonieStrong Spoons are a visual representation used as a unit of measure to quantify how much energy individuals with disabilities and chronic illnesses have throughout a given day. 1). Depression 2). PTSD 3). Anxiety 4). Hashimoto 5). Fibromyalgia 6). Asthma 7). Atopic dermatitis 8). Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria 9). Hereditary Angioedema (HAE-normal C-1) 10). Gluten sensitivity 11). EpiPen carrier 12). Food allergies, medication allergies and food intolerances. . 13). Alopecia Areata |
Reply |
|