Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder

There is more chance of bipolar disorder when a person has a hypomanic or manic episode followed by many bouts of either mania, hypomania, or depression. Rapid cycling is not a diagnosis but rather a “course specifier” or description of the condition.

Furthermore, it is estimated that 5.7 million people in the US have bipolar disorder. The severe mental disease appears to have extreme mood swings, causing lifelong burdens and high-risk mortality. It affects about 1-3% of people; a lifetime suicide rate is approximately 15-20%.

So, Patients who are diagnosed need to maintain the support of mood-stabilizing medication and psychoeducation to reduce the entry of new mood episodes and stabilize their mental and emotional status. Stay with us till the end and get additional information about the signs of rapid cycling bipolar, its types, and treatment options.

What Is Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder?

Rapid cycling is a transitory symptom of bipolar illness. Bipolar disorder has rapid cycling, which means that periods of mania, hypomania, or depression occur more frequently. These episodes may arise unexpectedly and are usually brief. Additionally, fast cycling in bipolar illness is typified by a wide variety of episodes. When a person has four or more episodes of mania or depression in a single year, this is known as rapid cycling. Because a single mood episode may rise and decrease without resolution, it is a difficult disorder to diagnose.

Thus, rapid cycling may appear to highlight the fluctuating mood states of bipolar disease. However, most persons with rapid cycling bipolar disorder spend significantly more time sad than manic or hypomanic.

Rapid Cycling Bipolar Symptoms

The signs of rapid cycling bipolar include:

• High physical and mental energy
• Less need for sleep
• Anger, irritability
• Racing thoughts and speech
• Grandiose thinking
• Persistent sadness
• Crying spells
• Pessimism, indifference
• Lack of energy, fatigue

If you observe any of the symptoms mentioned above in you or your family member, feel free to contact us at MAVA Behavioral Health.

Causes of Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder

1. Cardiac Rhythms

In this theory, it is deciphered that people who are rapidly cycling are said to have differing circadian rhythms. Circadian rhythms are what people go through every day and are specific cycles that last 24 hours.

Similarly, these can make people synchronize with night and day, sleeping and waking. The question of whether disruption of circadian rhythms can cause fluctuations in mood is not clear. However, adequate sleep has been seen to help in the management of bipolar disorder some of the indications.

2. Use of Anti-depressant

A report explains that those who take anti-depressants are likely to have frequent cycling. Some doctors don’t consider the use of anti-depressants as it is not suitable for people with bipolar who have been suffering from the condition for a long time. Bipolar rapid cycling patients are most often given mood-stabilizing drugs to relieve the rapid cycling.

It increases the number of neurotransmitters in the brain. In other words, these feel-good chemicals increase one’s mood, overthinking and sad feelings.
Examples of neurotransmitters include:

• Serotonin
• Dopamine
• Norepinephrine

3. Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism indicates that the thyroid is not functioning properly and is not generating enough thyroid hormone for the central nervous system. Some individuals who are suffering from rapid bipolar disorder are easy to treat through thyroid hormones.

Bipolar Disorder Types

There are further types and subtypes of bipolar disorder. Your healthcare provider may diagnose you with a specific form of bipolar illness.

Bipolar 1

You may have a bipolar 1 diagnosis if you have a few signs:

• Within a week, at least one Mania episode occurs.
• Some people experience depression periods, but not all.

Bipolar 2

The signs of diagnosis for bipolar 2 episodes include:

• At least one depressive episode.
• Hypomania symptoms lasting four days or longer.

Cyclothymia

A diagnosis of cyclothymia includes a few signs:

• The severity of your symptoms must not meet the requirements for bipolar 1 or bipolar disorder diagnosis.
• Constant condition of overthinking and depression.

What Is The DSM-5 Criteria for Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder?

Individuals who undergo a minimum of four episodes within 12 months, according to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) as “rapid cycling.”

However, this classification is significant because it indicates a more severe form of mood disorder. Although the term suggests a frequency, it is crucial to understand the impact of such cycling on a patient’s overall mental health.

Who is Affected by Bipolar Disorder?

• More than 5.7 million persons in the United States have bipolar disorder, making up about 2.6% of the people aged 18 and older.
• Bipolar disorder can start in infancy or the 40s and 50s, with a typical age of 25 years old.
• Bipolar disorder affects men and women equally, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, or financial status.
• Over two-thirds of individuals with bipolar disorder have a close family who also suffers from the condition of unipolar severe depression, indicating a heritable component.

Risks of Rapid Bipolar Cycling

The most harmful cause of a rapid cycling course in bipolar disorder is self-harm. People with bipolar disorder are 10 to 20 times more likely to commit suicide than those without the condition. Tragically, between 8% and 20% of patients with bipolar disorder commit suicide.

In addition, people with a rapid cycling course may be at a higher risk of suicide than those with nonrapid cycling bipolar disease. They are hospitalized more frequently, and their symptoms are typically more difficult to manage in the long run.

Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis

Rapid cycling takes some time to identify because it requires at least four episodes each year. At least two months must pass between episodes in order to meet the diagnostic criteria.

Signs of rapid cycling bipolar might be difficult to identify, especially if the individual spends a lot of time in a sad condition. As a result, rapid cycling may be undiagnosed or under-reported. If you believe you’re having rapid cycling, keep track of:

• Medications
• Symptoms
• Life events and stressors
• Sleep patterns

Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder Treatment

Bipolar disorder, including rapid cycling bipolar disorder, is treatable with medication. But it may take some time to find the right one. Your doctor will work with you to find the right medication or combination of medications to manage your symptoms. During this time, they might make occasional adjustments to your dosage and treatment plan.

Some types of medications doctors use to treat rapid cycling bipolar disorder include:

• Mood stabilizers
• Anti-depressants
• Atypical antipsychotics

List of Best Medications for Rapid Cycling Bipolar

• Lithium: A gold-standard mood stabilizer for reducing manic and depressive episodes. Requires regular blood monitoring.
• Valproate (Depakote): Effective for acute mania and preventing rapid mood shifts.
• Carbamazepine (Tegretol): Apply for mixed episodes and rapid cycling.
• Lamotrigine (Lamictal): Primarily helps with depressive episodes and long-term mood stabilization.
• Quetiapine (Seroquel): An atypical antipsychotic effective for both manic and depressive episodes.
• Olanzapine (Zyprexa): Helpful for acute mania and maintenance therapy.
• Aripiprazole (Abilify): To manage manic symptoms and prevent relapses.
• Risperidone (Risperdal): Effective for acute mania and mood stabilization.

Final Thoughts

Signs of rapid cycling bipolar disorder, which can be tough, are hard to manage and maintain. People with this rapid cycling course may be at an even higher risk for suicide than those with non-rapid cycling bipolar disorder. They often find themselves hospitalized more frequently, and their symptoms tend to be more difficult to control long-term.

However, because of this, the initial evaluation and treatment are super important for dealing with the issue. If you notice anyone in your surroundings suffering from rapid cycling bipolar disorder, reach out to MAVA Behavioral Health right away. We are here to help you and guide you out of this scary world but don’t wait too long.