Billybadjoebob
Bluelighter
Hey all. I wasn't sure if this post would fall into TDS or Mental Health boards (what is the difference?). But, I was hoping to share my experience with bipolar, as well as hear others' reconciliation of the disorder to compare the subtleties of each type.
I have bipolar type II with ultradian cycling. I personally don't like the term 'ultradian' as it is often misused and misunderstood. Not to mention the current debate of whether it even exists or is just a form of a mixed episode.
From my my personal experience however, I do believe it exists. It is marked by distinct alterations of your baseline and many patients report that happening when in fact it could be a symptom of something else (e.g. substance abuse, emotional disregulation) or just plain old mood swings. It is very difficult to differentiate a mood swing from cycling over into the other episode.
Recently something has has been going on with my demon the last month or more. I've cycled into a rather heavy depressive episode and approximately two weeks before I cycled the 'ultradian' aspect became evident. Every single day was a rollercoaster. Usually I would cycle once a day, splitting the day nearly in two halves, one hypomanic and the other depressive obviously. Some days I wouldn't cycle at all. In retrospect especially I recognize they were true shifts, not just emotions or mood swings. Again with regards to retrospection I cannot help but wonder if they weren't just mixed episodes? I know the last few days were, as I would feel amped up but with rage and anger when I'm by nature not an outburst angry kind of person. During the period of 'ultradian cycling' it was very distinct in which episode I was in, no mixing of symptoms.
I don't know, but are there any accounts of ultradian cyclers also having mixed episodes? How are they distinguished then? Also, what're your thoughts on it even existing? Myself, I am not so sure. Very confused.
I have bipolar type II with ultradian cycling. I personally don't like the term 'ultradian' as it is often misused and misunderstood. Not to mention the current debate of whether it even exists or is just a form of a mixed episode.
From my my personal experience however, I do believe it exists. It is marked by distinct alterations of your baseline and many patients report that happening when in fact it could be a symptom of something else (e.g. substance abuse, emotional disregulation) or just plain old mood swings. It is very difficult to differentiate a mood swing from cycling over into the other episode.
Recently something has has been going on with my demon the last month or more. I've cycled into a rather heavy depressive episode and approximately two weeks before I cycled the 'ultradian' aspect became evident. Every single day was a rollercoaster. Usually I would cycle once a day, splitting the day nearly in two halves, one hypomanic and the other depressive obviously. Some days I wouldn't cycle at all. In retrospect especially I recognize they were true shifts, not just emotions or mood swings. Again with regards to retrospection I cannot help but wonder if they weren't just mixed episodes? I know the last few days were, as I would feel amped up but with rage and anger when I'm by nature not an outburst angry kind of person. During the period of 'ultradian cycling' it was very distinct in which episode I was in, no mixing of symptoms.
I don't know, but are there any accounts of ultradian cyclers also having mixed episodes? How are they distinguished then? Also, what're your thoughts on it even existing? Myself, I am not so sure. Very confused.
