Rapid Cycler Bipolar Disorder
A rapid cycler has multiple episodes within week or days. It is most common in women and in the late stages of the disorder. It is fairly rare with only 10-20 percent of bipolar patients exhibiting this form of the disorder. It can be caused by substance abuse and antidepressant use and often with a thryoid disease. Mixed symptoms can be in either mania or depression and with psychosis such as delusions which are distorted beliefs, or hallucinations seeing, hearing or sensing things which are not there. Symptoms can occur together with high energy, depression and suicidial thoughts a mixed state. Treatment of this form of the disorder is more difficult each episode makes the following episode harder and more frequent.
The rapid changes in mood highs and lows with the swings of energy levels can be a source of conflicts. While mania is attractive and encouraging as your mania increases your behavior becomes more and more purposeless. Agiatated and driven behavior and lack of concern for others can lead others to believe you may hurt yourself or others. People become frustrated with the inactivity of depressed states and contribute to your feels of guilt and inadequacy by comments meaning well but often makes things worse. The increases in energy and activity thaat accompany manic moods may feel good, productice and purposeful but to others they may be seen as unrealistic and signs of an unstable illness.
The risks of untreated Bipolar Disorder are suicide alcohol or substance abuse in an effort to self medicate the sy mptoms. The substance abuse influence the mood and so the cycle continues.
Relationship and work disturbances occur rather than to try to deal with a person having unpredictable ups and downs the outcome is usually divorce and breakups of relationships.
Episodes at the workplace affect productivity and losing a job often the outcome of a prolonged episode. It can influence the ability to seek or maintain medical treatment.
Early treatment gives the opportunity for stable relationships and a productive work life and avoid being put on disability at an early age. The support of people you care about and being effective at work can help stabilize moods and reinforce all treatment.
