Rapid cyclers, Mixed Moods, Ultradion, ? need your input, please

Hopefully I get what you're asking...
Rapid cycling is going between manic, depressed, mixed or normal cycles more than 4 times a year
Ultradian is rapid cycling on crack-honestly, it's nuts, I rapid cycle in the matters of day to day and if I get really bad i'll go from one extreme to the other in 10hours...Some psychiatrist don't use this term though, they still coin it rapid cycling
Mixed Moods are generally manic and depressed at the same time, just going from how MINE are, from what I understand everyones are different, but I'm horrible irritable, can't concentrate, rapid thoughts of worthlessness and how I've failed, anything that upsets me, I'll cry and snap at everything and sometimes my sex drive is through the roof, which let me tel you, is VERY confusing for your other half!

Honestly if you think you're having a problem with a mixed episode, you should call your pdoc, these can be really dangerous, and they aren't fun at all, mixed episodes have the highest rate for people trying to commit suicide in people who are bipolar.

I hope you're doing okay, if you need to talk at all, shoot me an email!

Post above is spot on. But maybe saying it with different words makes it more clear. (Ya gotta tell me 3 times by 3 different people before I actually "get it." So no offense intended!

Rapid-cycling is part of a diagnosis that is defined by 4 cycles in a year.

Ultraradian cycling is not part of a diagnosis. I'd be surprised to see/hear a pdoc use that term. I like the description of "rapid-cycling on crack", lol. It is cycling anything faster that rapid-cycles, althoug most people use it to describe cycling within a week, a day, or even a couple hours. (joy, joy)

A "Mixed episode" is part of a diagnosis and can be called "mixed state", "dysphoric mania", "agitated depression." It is experiencing depression and mania symptoms at the same time. This is the scary stuff! It can be very dangerous. TTU - I'll tell you privately about my last, but there's no way I'll share on an open forum!!


A mixed episode is treated with a minimum of 2 medications. 1 to work as an anti-depressant, 1 to work as an "anti-mania" (I totally just made up a word!) So I'm on Lamictal - an anti-seizure med that works to control depression in bipolar patients. Then I'm on Seroquel XR - an anti-psychotic that controlls mania.

Rapid-cycling and ultraradian cycling would be treated with the same. A med to control elevated moods and a med to control depressed moods.

Anxiety is treated separately, but bp's should be aware that what might look like hypomanic irritability might be anxiety.

Got it?

I am with Tort and DoUtriponair.  I think they have it down.  I was in a mixed episode for much of last year climaxing with me ending up in the hospital.  I find agitated depression to be a very good descriptor, and I was cycling several times a week.  For me it has taken a combination of medicines: lithium and lamictal to stabilize and help fight the depression, risperdone for obsessive rumination that came with depression, then vyvanse ( a medication for ADHD) to help also with depression and boost my energy and ability to focus some.  A real cocktail and I hate taking it all but each has been layered on carefully and I am pretty convinced it is what is needed.  So you might need a greater combination of meds.  I would be pretty frustrated if my pdoc was asking me what I want to do without giving some well-described options.  What medications are you taking?