Rapid Mood Cycling

Rapid mood cycling is a type of bipolar depression or bipolar disorder. In mood cycling individuals have apparent period of mania and depression. However there is a difference in course of illness and pattern of cycle. Patient has normal mood periods in between the mania/hype periods. You can get depressed in January and then become normal in February then again your mood switches in April and so on. You can have different phases when you go directly to mania from depression and then continue directly to depression, this phase is termed as multi-phase cycling. You could have one multi-phase or can have repeatedly multi-phases which means there is no normal period.

In simple words rapid mood cycling is the mood swing in a period of one year. An episode can have mania, depression or hypomania even it could have mixed phases.

There are two types of rapid mood cycling:

• Multi-phase Cycling: Multi-phase cycling means it is a yearly cycle of your mood swing which occurs four times in a year which involves depression, hypomania or mania.
• Ultra-phase Cycling: Ultra-phase cycling means that it is monthly mood swing cycle which occurs in a month.

Symptoms of Rapid Mood Cycling:

The signs and symptoms of rapid mood cycling are divided into three states one is depressed state, manic and hypomanic state. Therefore signs and symptoms are divided into two episodes:

Symptoms of Depressive Period:

• Feeling of sadness
• Anxiety
• Guilt feeling
• Anger and isolation
• Loss interest in favorite activities
• Difficulty in sleeping
• Increase or decrease in appetite
• Loneliness and hopelessness
• Difficulty in concentrating and making decisions
• Less of interest in sexual activities

Symptoms of Manic Period:

• Increase in energy
• Decrease in sleep
• Less concentration
• Some abnormal activities or behavior
• Consumption of Alcohol, drugs or depressants
• Grandiose ideas
• Sexual drive may increase
• Many people feel anxious and irritable and many others feel elated and high-flying

Symptoms of Hypomanic Period:

• People become more productive
• Increase energy and become more active
• Change in behavior and manners
• No hallucination or illusion

Hypomanic is hard to diagnose because patient can feel good in this period.

Causes of Rapid Mood Cycling:

The exact cause of mood cycling is not known. However, there are some theories that could help:

Kindling (Sensitization): According to the theory, early period triggered because of death of loved ones or job loss. The person becomes increasingly sensitive. Soon person has episodes of maniac behavior.

Biological Disturbance: According to the theory, there is a link between seasonal affective disorder and rapid cycling. It is possible that abnormal daily biological rhythms are not the cause of illness but it contributes to it.

Hypothyroidism: According to this theory the inadequate amount of thyroid hormone in brain is one of the causes of rapid mood cycling.

Treatment of Rapid Mood Cycling:

There are many different treatments of rapid mood cycling which could help you to get out of mood cycling disorder.

Psychotherapy: There are many different therapies which could help you to overcome the disorder such as cognitive behavioral therapy, psycho education, family and social therapy. These therapies will help you to understand your situation, handle your emotions and improve your thinking. Consult your doctor or psychiatrist who will help you and suggest you the correct treatment.

Medication: There are many different antidepressants available in market. But first you should consult your doctor about the depression treatment and get the correct prescription because there are many different antidepressants side effects that you could face. Your doctor will prescribe you the medicine for your thyroid hormones. This will help to control the severe situation of your depression.

Depression Natural Remedy: If you do not want to risk for antidepressants side effects then you can go for depression natural remedy which do not have any side effects and work very effectively.

Acupuncture and Depression: Acupuncture is also one of the depression treatments. Acupuncture is a safe and normal way to control your anxiety and depression through nervous system.
Resources for Fighting Depression:

• Self Help for Depression
• End Depression Now
• Conquer Stress, Depression & Anxiety