The main feature of rapid cycling is depressive symptoms. It is commonly misunderstood to refer to any person with rapid ‘mood swings’. The prevalence of rapid cycling in patents with bipolar disorders in clinical studies most often ranges between approximately 15% and 20%.
Most patients exhibiting signs of rapid-cycling disorder are female – nearly three-quarters in most studies. This is marked contrast to the breakdown among bipolar I and II patients: 50 percent male, 50 percent female.
Also rapid cycling patients almost always have relatives who are afflicted with mood disorders.
Patients with rapid-cycling bipolar disorder commonly struggle with illness with a large depressive component, accompanied by suboptimal efficacy with lithium, divalproex, carbamazepine, and antidepressants with antidepressants commonly also yielding treatment-emergent effective switch and/or cycle acceleration.
Rapid cycling is generally difficult to treat. An important first step is to asses for and treat medical conditions that may contribute to cycling, such as hypothyroidism or drug or alcohol use.
Medications, particularly antidepressants, may also contribute to cycling,
Rapid-cycling bipolar disorder
