Volatility

I always thought it was a myth, saying people with BP fluctuate between emotions rapidly. I thought that was only rapid cyclers.

But looking back on it I have two examples of this happening to me.

1). When getting assessed by a court ordered psychiatrist, I was switching between laughing and crying instantaneously.

2). When drunk sometimes people say I'm really nice then really mean within seconds, for no reason.

Is this just me?

I do seem moody in general, too. But again, my main problem is weather and stress induced mania and depression.

So is the idea that we switch so fast a misconception? Or does it apply to non rapid cyclers too?

#1 - Could be borderline personality disorder (BPD) or a mixed state.

#2 - Could also be borderline personality disorder, but some people when drunk flip flop between emotions. In that case, it's not really a "mood disorder" that's causing it. It's simply being drunk.

I don't really believe in ultradian cycling (which is what I think you're getting at with "rapid cycling," as rapid cycling simply means you have 4 or more episodes in one year), but ultradian cycling implies you switch moods very rapidly like you're describing. I think anyone who switches between extreme "moods" that fast is having emotional dysregulation caused by something like BPD, some other personality disorder, ADHD, autism, etc., but not really bipolar. It is technically possible to have ultradian cycling, but that is almost unheard of. It's very rare.

Just my opinion, though. I'm not a doctor.

Well lots of things go into how often we have episodes , One year I might have many or another year just a handful

Lots of things factor into how stable we can be. Are you on the right medications , do you practice self care, get enough sleep, eat well and exercise? Do you have coping skills and can you use them when they are needed ? I have lots of coping skills but they dont all work when I need it so I then move onto another, until I find one that helps.

I have yet to find a Pdoc that thinks its ok to drink, drinking while on psych meds can be dangerous and certainly can bring on an episode. So consider that.

Do you chart your moods daily ? It can be helpful in seeing a pattern if your starting to go up or down.. There are tons of APP's you can try and find one that works for you.

Hope some of that might help you

blue - was in fact in a mixed states in court.
Christina - I don't track any more. I used to. Like I said I'm more or less with the seasons (at first) but that cycle has sort of broken as I got older. Now, it would be even more important to track. I luckily haven't had an episode in a whole year because of my medications. But I do practice unhealthy coping skills so that's probably why I can be moody.

Its hard to get back all the parts that can help us stay stable .. Maybe just pick one at a time and as they become routine you can add another?

I don't know that I would call what the OP describes as "an episode" unless the rapid switching continues for days. Sounds more like mood lability, if isolated, unless particularly severe. Many people with bipolar disorder experience mood lability. Many drunk people behave as described. Unless key borderline personality disorder symptoms are usual for a person with such mood lability, that could be ruled out easily enough by many doctors. For example: Abandonment issues common at times? Pattern of unstable relationships? Rapid changes in self image/identity? Often feelings of emptiness in life?

The above are some extremely primary BPD symptoms, not in a bipolar disorder symptom list. Other symptoms not mentioned are a bit more similar to bipolar disorder. If a person says "absolutely not" to most or all of the questions above, maybe borderline personality disorder is not so likely. Any concerns should be discussed with a doctor and/or therapist.

Doctors riled out borderline a while ago. I don't experience mood lability often, but just curious if others, who are not diagnosed borderline, do too

Just FTR - I don't enjoy disclosing this but my doctor's pegged me as antisocial. I hope that doesn't effect how people see me here.

To the original question, no, that's not the way it is for me. Very rare for my mood to bounce around. (In mixed, I get simultaneous extreme energy and despair.)

No worries.

I believe this also. Currently, there is a big debate about this in professional circles. Mood dis regulation can occur without one being BPD, as you have mentioned. Perhaps even some people in tremendously trying circumstances can be this way. Just a thought.