Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder: Reader Question

hi Julie,

I have a question.  Looking back at about eight months of journaling, I noticed that every two months or so, my entries suggest that I was depressed.  It would appear that this is cycling every two months.  Could this be accurate?  Anything I can do to correct it?  Yes, I will bring it up with my psychiatrist at the next appointment.

Thanks!

Hi Sandra,

Bipolar disorder is an episode illness- as compared to psychotic or personality disorders which are more stable over time. This means a person can have a few severe episodes and then none for a few years- or someone, like myself can have mood swings every day for years and years. I had 23 mood swings from the last part of April and all of May. It was not pleasant. I have rapid cycling bipolar disorder II with psychosis. It sounds like your rapid cycling follows a very strict pattern.

If you’re cycling every two months- that’s pretty regular- so you should be able to pinpoint what is going on. There are a few things- hormones, the weather, triggers, medications or just the illness itself. This is probably just your brain pattern.  I did a podcast with my friend Sherri-  she talks about how she gets manic ever spring and depressed in the winter- like clockwork. I am definitely happier in the summer.

What matters is that you chart it. If you see a definite pattern of depression interlaced with mania- talk with your doctor about rapid cycling and make sure your meds are correct. Anti depressants can cause this rapid cycling.  Also, mania can look like stress when it’s actually agitated mania.  Lamictal can help a lot with rapid cycling.

It’s great that you’re seeing the patterns- it’s the best way to manage the illness. I have my Health Cards Treatment Plan- I know you have them as well- I would get out your depression card and write the times you see the change into depression and what you think, say and do right before it starts. That is how to prevent yourself from going down too far.

Julie

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