Do you Rapid cycle? And can you describe how you Rapid cycle

I looked up the definition of Rapid cycling and I definitely rapid cycle. Maybe even more than just rapid cycling. How do you experience your symptoms?

I will need to tell the psychiatrist more about this. I have been constantly going up and down in mood these last few months. Especially this month. It's true I've had a lot of stress irl, lately. I think it's that. I've had a couple of hypomanic episodes. No mania, thankfully. I don't want to get mania and lose control. I have too much at stake here with children and husband and just everyday life, in general. I've had several (too many) depressive lows and then I'm fine after a few days. I'd like to hear other's experiences.

Hi quietgirl, are you considering rapid cycling deteriorating to a mixed state?

for me, when stress is bad enough to exacerbate symptoms and meds are trying to maintain balance, the body seems to fight itself for control. In any case, it is good you are going to see your psych.

My experience of rapid cycling involves 1-3 weeks of hypomania (increased energy and light mood - including gregariousness and communicating - and focus of thinking - which is a pleasant effect when co-morbid A.D.D. is exacerbated by the depressive phases).

following the hypomania there is a drop, immediately obvious to others, it takes me a day or two, where I do not communicate easily, I isolate myself mentally and emotionally turning inward - protecting my vulnerable state with those coping mechanisms I have spent a lifetime cultivating. this depressive phase can last a week or months, and is often physically painful.

the hypomania episodes more often turned to full mania when I was using illicit drugs, though there has been a couple of occasions since cleansing myself.

there is a risk of rebounding to mania again, following the depressive phase, though my current medication regime seems to stifle this.

my 'normal' phase can last from days to months and involve me only having to manage the A.D.D. and anxiety; medication minimises the perpetual background melancholy. as I have aged this has become a frustrating period in itself - I can treat the anxiety, I can't treat the A.D.D. because medical treatment sparks mania. And this all works against that part of my brain that still seeks a successful life.

Hi living_the_phoenix,
Yes, I relate a lot to how you describe your rapid cycling. Lately (like in a year), I've not had mania. But more recently I've been bouncing up and down with hypomania and crashing with depression. Usually it lasts a week each low and each high. But it's been continuous. A lot. It's true that irl, I've been dealing with more stress on some days and I believe that is what triggers it the most. But it's like I can't get a break from these depressive phases. Sometimes it's not so bad, I back down on the stress inducing things if I am able to, and that helps a lot. I slow down in the busyness of life, because I do have a lot of anxiety as well. But like I said, it's been up and down so often these last few months. It's like my new "normal." In the past I've not always been on the right meds, and yes, I did get manic. I'd skip depression (which the pdoc said was normal too), then hypomanic and mania. Thankfully, no mixed episode lately. And hopefully none in sight. I used to go months with my mood being completely stable, now I've changed. My meds work. But these ups and downs don't stop coming. I also have ADD. When stable periods are present, I am the most alert, can focus, and feel so good. I can sleep well without a sleep aid now. The pdoc did say to stop the Ritalin if I became hypomanic because of the danger of it sending me into mania or a mixed episode.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I notice that there are a lot of ups and downs that seem to last weeks and months for you. Whereas mine, thus far, have been about week long episodes. I wake up and I don't always know how I'm going to feel that day.

I know it can be frustrating, not knowing which mood would be facing the world each day. I have learnt it best to be open about my mental illness in all facets of life, especially in situations where I can't avoid people, like work. For the most part I find my colleagues supportive. I don't need to make excuses when I need a few days off. Of course, I can only achieve that supportive environment thanks to my meds, and working with good people.

If it helps, I find the disorder is getting worse, or stronger, as I get older. So much more to look forward to.

Stay strong, don't fear the challenge, and know you are loved.

I think I rapid cycle yes. just this year I was very depressed in March, manic throughout April, then incredibly depressed again in May. I had to quit my job because of all of this. My life is falling apart right now. I am moving in with family. The depression is currently crushing me.

I don't care about adding "rapid cycling" to my DX, even if its the case that that's how my brain works. I don't need anything more in my PF signature lol.

My T thinks i have been rapid cycling ever since i went off lithium (to go onto Vraylar).

For me, it feels more like a mixed episode. But i don't feel overly manic, and i don't feel overly depressed, i'm just bouncing around from hyper-sexual to low sex drive, with irritability being a constant.

When I walked in to get mental health help, I was at about 1½~2 days cycle. I'm pretty sure most of that was caused by stress - which I had piled high with hypo on new school and all the things I wanted to do.. at same time. Also I really walked in to get help because it was getting exhausting to predict what my mood would be on any day of next week..

On medication the cycle slowed down to 1~2 per month.

After I got back from exhange and 'went feral' the cycle has slowed down more, but it's also more unpredictable. Being unemployed and otherwise pretty much stress free probably has a part in that.

I went a week without any ups or downs. That felt good. Now, it's wait and see because I am at my normal everyday life and well, stressful at times, and unpredictable. I hope I stay stable longer than a week. It has felt refreshing, to say the least.