Symptoms of Type 1 Rapid Cycle Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness characterized by extreme mood changes and distinct depressive and manic phases. Approximately 10 million Americans suffer from bipolar disorder each year.

Time Frame

• Bipolar disorder typically emerges in adolescence or early adulthood, and symptoms are typically experienced on an episodic basis for the remainder of an individual's life.

Phases

• A diagnosis of bipolar disorder requires at least a one- to two-week period in which either symptoms of mania, depression or both (mixed) are present. Each distinct period is called an "episode." The term "rapid cycling" is used to describe four or more distinct episodes that have been experienced within the past 12 months.

Manic Episodes

• Manic episodes are characterized by the presence of elevated mood and three of the following symptoms for at least one week: inflated self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, increased talkativeness, racing thoughts, distractibility, increase in goal-directed activity and excessive involvement in pleasurable activities with potentially serious consequences.

Depressive Episodes

• Depressive episodes include at least five of the following symptoms for a two-week period: depressed mood, diminished interest in activities once enjoyed, weight changes, sleep changes, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, poor concentration and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

Psychosis

• Symptoms of psychosis, including delusions and hallucinations, might or might not be present in bipolar disorder with rapid cycling.

Treatment

• Treatment options include medications, including antipsychotics such as risperidone, mood stabilizers like lamotrigine and antidepressants such as fluoxetine, and psychotherapy for learning ways to cope with symptoms and improve management of moods.