Rapid Network

Many people are familiar with the mental illness called bipolar disorder. Some individuals go through what is referred to as rapid cycling. They have to very extreme moods and the go in a full circle back and forth from depression to mania over and over again. The speed at which a person goes through rapid cycle bipolar is different for everyone. It can also change depending on the medications the person takes and any stress taking place at a specific time.

Rapid cycling bipolar disorder can be the result of a hereditary mental health issue. It can also be triggered by emotional trauma that affects the person in adverse ways. To be classified as rapid cycling bipolar disorder the person must complete at least four cycles per year. For some people they complete four or more cycles in only one month or even in just one week. These types of cases are often called ultra rapid cycling bipolar disorder.

It is hard to fully define the behaviors of someone who is going through rapid cycling bipolar disorder. They may exhibit normal behaviors and then move into depression and mania again. Others continually move from one extreme to another. Still yet other individuals experience a slow and gradual movement from one end of the spectrum to the next.

If a person moves from mania to depression with nothing in between it is called a switch. There can be as few as two switches per year or as many as two per month for more sever cases. There are so many different patterns of behavior that can take place during rapid cycling bipolar disorder that it is hard to find the right treatment for them initially.

Since there are so many variables with rapid cycling bipolar disorder people often classify it incorrectly. Only a doctor who is able to monitor the patient can correctly identify the level of cycling and the right way to treat it. This is often done after carefully assessing the individual. This is one area of mental illness that still has plenty of research to be completed.