[MtnTime2896]

So, I need to know how rapid someone is capable of cycling. I'm a rapid cycler but it's never been this rapid; at least I can't recall a time. Does rapid cycling get worse when it's left untreated and if so, how much worse? It's honestly making me sick.

[Musician1980]

Originally Posted by Só leigheas

So, I need to know how rapid someone is capable of cycling. I'm a rapid cycler but it's never been this rapid; at least I can't recall a time. Does rapid cycling get worse when it's left untreated and if so, how much worse? It's honestly making me sick.

It's hard to get a good definition on this. They say rapid cycling is 4 episode changes per year. Sometimes I felt like every other second I was in a different mood but that might just be what they call emotional lability, meaning I could have a positive thought and feel good, then think of something negative and feel creeped out/scared. It might seem like it's rapid cycling every few seconds but it probably doesn't fit the criteria for that, where the moods would have to endure for some time then shift. Rather, it's more of a labile mood.

[BipolaRNurse]

People can cycle as rapidly as multiple times in a single day (it's called "ultradian cycling"). Like all things bipolar, it does tend to get worse if it's untreated. Please, if you're experiencing increased symptoms or cycling more rapidly than in the past, see your mental healthcare provider. He or she is the only one qualified to assess you and prescribe appropriate treatment.

I'm not sure if rapid cycling gets worse when left untreated, but my rapid cycling seemed to have started when I started meds. Never used to cycle rapidly before that. (But of course it could all be a coincidence. I don't know.)

My depression tends to last 2-3 weeks; my hypo/manias, 1 week. Then I have some time in between where my mood is stable. I seem to get an episode every 2 months or thereabouts?

I had a bout of ultradian cycling and my "record" was 6 swings in a day. I was in the hospital at the time and got a chance to really notice the cycles I have been having for a while.

[MtnTime2896]

Thanks for the input and information guys. I'm usually more like you bluebicycle. Now I can put a name to my situation, "ultradian cycling". I am at 3-5 swings on bad days.

Can external factors have something to do with this? Life events and so on.

[Gabyunbound]

I think such rapid cycling is not common, but what I would do is look into triggers for moods. It could be that not all of the moods, or switches, are BP-related and some are triggered by life events. Maybe if you could treat it both with medications and being aware of triggers (T might help with that) it could be a useful, overall way to manage it.

[MBM17]

I've cycled a few times in a day. I didn't think it was possible until it happened to me. I thought they must just be mood swings. Oh heavens, they weren't. Thank goodness it hasn't been that rapid since last spring. My bipolar swings really unpredicatibly with no patterns right now. I hate it.

I suspect that 7 years of antidepressants caused my ultra and sometimes even ultradian rapid cycling.