Mixed Bipolar Disorder: Rapid Mood Swings

Bipolar disorder may occur in a mixed state, a state wherein the symptoms of the extreme high levels of mania are combined with the low edges of depression. Mixed bipolar disorder may be highly volatile and disturbing and should be prepared for by patients and patients’ support.

When symptoms of mania and depression are both present and occur at the same time in any bipolar disorder sufferer, he is suffering from mixed bipolar disorder. The mixed bipolar disorder state is characterized by a number of conditions or symptoms including, but not limited to, extreme anxiety, continuous agitation, belligerent attitude or increased aggressive behavior. Sometimes confusion sets in. The patient may feel overly-fatigued without any prior physical exertion. Impulsiveness is prevalent, and decision making is oftentimes affected. Sometimes the patient cannot sleep; sometimes he or she is endlessly irritable.

Rapid Mood Swings

Mixed bipolar disorder sufferers are almost always on the verge of panic and will easily get out of control. They can be extremely paranoid at times. There will at times be delusions of being persecuted. Sometimes speech is belabored. Thoughts may at times be racing. Rage is standard; restlessness is a given. At worst, suicidal tendency is possible as the sufferer almost always thinks of death or suicide.

The mood swings of mixed bipolar disorder may be rapid cycling or ultra-rapid, that is occurring in frequencies that are very evenly and frequently spaced apart if not almost overlapping. The cyclic episodes of the elevated manic mood and the low depressed mood sometimes last for prolonged periods, weeks or months even, in several variants within a year.

The disparity, or what is clinically known as emotional dysregulation, refers to the marked reactivity of the bipolar’s moods. The reaction may be due to external psychological or social stress factors. These may rise and fall in sudden frequencies and dramatic instances. The depression state may at times be more pervasive as sleep and appetite problems set in. The mood changes or swings may be brought about by episode triggers that sometimes involve personal matters, achievements or failures in life events.

For example, the mere presence of a crush or a secretly admired one may trigger a manic episode. Conversely, the death of a loved one, a friend or admired peer may trigger the other low end of depression. Achievements and failures may also trigger mixed bipolar disorder symptoms. Being accepted as a member of a prestigious social club may be an achievement that can produce a manic state, while a rejection of a project proposal in one’s job may trigger a depression.

Mixed bipolar disorder can be brought about by a number of factors – environmental, physiological, definitely multi-faceted and multi-factorial. Family history also plays a part as it can also be genetic. Because mixed bipolar disorder is so variable, triggers and causes vary from person to person.

Early Diagnosis Is Important

The key to treating mixed bipolar disorder is in the determination of the condition early on. The disorder can only be treated with the right medications and therapy regimen if diagnosed correctly and accurately. There is a possibility for medication and therapy to be ill-advised, as there is a good chance for mis-diagnosis or under-diagnosis in bipolar disorder. With the right diagnosis, the most appropriate treatment may be prescribed and mixed bipolar disorder then should not be that disabling a condition. It is still possible for sufferers to lead a normal enough life despite the condition. One just has to make the most of the periods in between manic or depressive episodes.

The sufferer and his family can have control of the mixed bipolar disorder and not the other way around. They just have to get the right medication and doctor support, the right information, a good rapport between the patient and the psychiatrist and psychotherapist, a very supportive family or peer group, an understanding and caring loved one, and a lifestyle of balance and moderation. The discipline of the patient and his support group is paramount, in maintaining the prescribed medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes. Changing medication doses, foregoing counseling or therapy sessions, may be dangerous. Discipline and knowledge are important.