what is rapid cycling bipolar

Rapid cycling bipolar disorder is a feature of bipolar disorder in which episodes of mania, hypomania, or depression are more frequent. It is diagnosed when a person experiences four or more distinct mood episodes over a 12-month period. Rapid cycling can happen with any kind of bipolar disorder. It is not a stand-alone diagnosis, but a feature of bipolar disorder. The main symptom of rapid cycling is the unusually frequent transition from mania or hypomania to depression and back again. Rapid cycling can occur with any type of bipolar disorder, and may be a temporary condition for some people. For most people, rapid cycling is a temporary occurrence, but for a small number of individuals, the pattern of cycling can continue indefinitely. Rapid cycling bipolar disorder can be difficult to identify, because a single mood episode can sometimes simply wax and wane without resolving. Rapid cycling may seem to make the changing mood states of bipolar disorder more obvious, but because most people with rapid cycling bipolar disorder spend far more time depressed than manic or hypomanic, they are often misdiagnosed with unipolar depression. There is no clear trigger for rapid cycling, but bipolar changes occur due to changes in brain chemicals. Mood tracking and talk therapy can help with management of rapid cycling bipolar disorder.