[r010159]

I wonder. Can in a period of mania the mania become more and less intense? Like a day or two after you did something that seemed hilarious at the time is now no longer funny, and maybe inappropriate? Then this can repeat itself in some way? Can this also happen in depression where one day you are able to get off the couch and microwave yourself something to eat, just for the next day not being able to get off the couch for anything, including something like a possible fire in the room?

[Victoria'smom]

Yes but I don't see those as cycling.

[wildflowerchild25]

I agree, it's not really cycles inside cycles, it's just varying intensity within the same cycle. This happens to me often. I generally start on the mild side of an episode and degenerate I to severe over a few days.

[Resident Bipolar]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

Yes but I don't see those as cycling.

Originally Posted by wildflowerchild25

I agree, it's not really cycles inside cycles, it's just varying intensity within the same cycle. This happens to me often. I generally start on the mild side of an episode and degenerate I to severe over a few days.

These two replies seem to correlate with my thinking.

I know exactly what you mean and I've asked myself the same question before. There can indeed be changes within an episode (hypomanic, manic, depressed) but I wouldn't say these are cycles within a cycle, per se. It would perhaps be more appropriate to describe them as fluctuations rather than cycles - you can fluctuate between varying levels of severity during an episode/cycle.

Think of it as the way anybody's mood fluctuates and changes to a varying degree, but within an episode for someone with Bipolar Disorder it's contained within the current ruling "state".

So it's not really cycling within a cycle, its just the varying levels of severity of the episode which can be interpreted as fluctuating changes in overall mood.

[TheatreKid]

I know when I'm manic, I tend to be more manic at night, and slightly calmer by morning. And depressions aren't just the same bleak level the entire time, it definitely fluctuates.

To me, bipolar episodes are not just black and white, there is every shade of grey in between.

[crazycatlady_83]

I am rapid cycling, so that sounds normal for me.
Currently, I am feeling fine in the morning, and more manic in the afternoon/evening. I'm able to function fine at school, but when I get home the littlest thing just gets to me and I can't control my anger and frustration. It sucks...I'd rather yell at a complete stranger than my boys.

It sure feels like cycles within cycles for me, but I suppose that's what a mixed state is.