Rapid cycling

Rapid cycling is a pattern in bipolar disorder where a person experiences four or more mood episodes—such as depression, mania, or hypomania—within a year. These episodes can change quickly, sometimes occurring within days or weeks. This pattern often makes managing the condition more challenging, as moods fluctuate more frequently than in typical bipolar disorder. Rapid cycling is considered a subtype and may require different treatment approaches to stabilize mood swings and improve quality of life.