Rapid Cycling

Rapid cycling is not a distinct disorder, but is a particularly severe form of bipolar disease. One in six patients with bipolar disease seen by psychiatrists either as an outpatient or as an inpatient suffers from four or more episodes per year. If at least four episodes occur within one year, this high-frequency phase is called ?rapid cycling“ (RC). Treatment for bipolar disorder with RC usually includes trialling mood stabilizers, such as lithium, anticonvulsants, and modern antipsychotics.In four out of five RC patients, treatment improves disease progression; however, some patients exhibit RC for many years.Specific studies have raised the suspicion that administering antidepressive therapy could facilitate an unfavorable course of bipolar affective disorder. The present case demonstrates disease progression and treatment attempts in a patient with distinct RC progression.