What is the most rapid that you have ever cycled? Have you ever had more than one manic or hypomanic episode in one day? What was it like? Thanks for any information you can share.

[SJ_Gooseman]

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pinksoil said:
What is the most rapid that you have ever cycled? Have you ever had more than one manic or hypomanic episode in one day? What was it like? Thanks for any information you can share.

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I thought I was doing exactly that a few weeks ago, and it was completely unnerving. It was impossible to do anything. Any word or incident would bounce me between manic and depressed. A funny joke would have me bouncing off walls, a sour look from someone would put me into despair, and I have not been labeled a rapid cycler and that really has not been my pattern in the past. I finally realized in my case that I was not cycling, I actually was in a bad mixed state with all of my emotions and actions on extreme and each event was pushing me it one direction or the other. Once I understood that, I started getting it more under control, and then looked at my past history and realized that this is a common thing for me, I was just not aware enough to understand that. I do know that such bouncing can be very disconcerting.

[Liberada]

I remember my last bad one... I was sitting on the couch with dh. He couldn't keep up with the conversation and constantly questioned the wild look in my eyes. In about a three hour period I went from excited joy, deep concern, wishing I were dead and crying to excited joy, giggling, crying... a mish-mash of everything all at once.

[Moose372]

How does that differ from a mixed episode? I've had those.

[rfcsruth]

I usually cycle a week at a time......sometimes it is longer, but most of the time it is a week. I have had it shorter too, like after 3 days....but that is after not being medication compliant and really stressed.

[Tikki]

I've just been diagnosed as rapid cycling, but I think it must be the ultradian type,as it's so fast - can be anything between a few minutes to an hour that my mood flips, constantly. It seems to have started cos my meds aren't working well. The good thing is when I hit rock bottom I've not been staying there as long as I usually do!

[Katicka]

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pinksoil said:
What is the most rapid that you have ever cycled? Have you ever had more than one manic or hypomanic episode in one day? What was it like? Thanks for any information you can share.

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The most rapid that I have cycled would have to be every 15 minutes. Yes, Ive had more then one manic/hypomanic cycle in a day. It was very exhausting I have to say going from depressed to manic and back again. For 15 minutes I would be laughing hysterically, then I would be in a rage for another 15 minutes then I would be sad and crying for another 15 minutes and talking and thinking about death. It was just crazy.Im pretty steady on my meds now after the last summer and I hope never to have to go there again and be cycling like I was.

[Merlin]

I only cycled like that, ultra radian, when I was on 60 mg of Celexa and only that.

[chooky]

Hi,it's hard work isn't it.I was reading the answers here and wonder if someone up there has a point about rapid cycling,my understanding which may be wrong is rapid cycling is having the overall cycle often,... as in ...episodes every so many weeks or months and she/he said about mixed cycling,which to my understanding is what you're.going through.I may be wrong on that though.I am not diagnosed yet as a rapid cycler but am having episodes every 6 wks or so and the last one definately went through the all over the show up down everywhere.I think Im going through the change of life too....what friggen joys does life throw at us to conquer.But that I will.I don't take meds,and had my first pysychologist consult the other day and had a manic episode while seeing her and then that day covered every bloody emotion under the sun.ARGHHHH all the best

[suzanmae]

hey
just wanted to note that last night I asked my therapist (not my psychiatrist) about the difference between rapid cycling and mixed episodes, and he said there is no real effective difference. Just wanted to add that 'cause some people were wondering...He's not my psychiatrist so not really the expert, but that's what he said.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I was probably going through a mixed episode. I have never had this experience before. The manic part was not euphoric or wonderful at all-- the feelings had undertones of suicidal ideation, terrible agitation, and pain. Luckily, I have evened out this week and will be meeting with my pdoc next week to reevaluate meds. Again.

[BertsBarbieDoll]

Not sure if it was ultra rapid cycling or MAJOR mixed. Felt more like rapid cycle. I would be up and playing crazy with my kids one hour then down and asleep in the bed for a couple then screaming my head off at anyone who made a sound for awhile then curled up in the corner crying my eyes out. This went on for a couple of weeks and I was miserable. Not to mention the rest of my family.

~BARB~

[mmripps]

like a raving lunatic is the best way to describe how i felt while rapid cycling.thank god for abilify

[BertsBarbieDoll]

Just got switched to Abilify. Not sure if I like it yet or not. Feel like a zombie.

~BARB~

[Liberada]

I agree with mmrips. feeling like a "raving lunatic".

I get keenly aware to how fast my moods change...scary.

[BertsBarbieDoll]

A "raving lunitic" would be an improvement. I hang signs on my bedroom door letting my kids know how big of a "bubble" I need each day. If I'm doing kinda ok, no sign. The "leave me the bleep alone" sign says: Super Duper Mega Monster Gigantic Bubble, Approach at your own risk, Not responsible for bodily damage. Some times when their fighting or whatever made me that way, I add a small note to the bottom that says "You did this, don't push it." My son won't come in my room when that sign is up. He sends his dad.

~BARB~