How Long Do Bipolar Episodes Last: The Cycling Process: Timing in Bipolar Cycles

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If you or someone you love is living with bipolar disorder, you know that it’s not always simple. If you go into a bipolar episode, sometimes it takes a while before you get back to feeling like yourself. Depending on the type of bipolar you have, you’ll experience extended periods of mania (high energy), depression (low energy), or mixed episodes where you experience both at the same time. If you’re concerned that you or someone you love has bipolar disorder, you probably have a lot of questions, like how long bipolar episodes last.

Bipolar disorder leaves many people feeling isolated. But it’s important to know that you’re not alone in this experience. Nearly 130,000 people in Texas are estimated to have a diagnosed, serious mood disorder like bipolar. Even more people may be going undiagnosed.

At SUN Houston, we know that understanding your condition is the first step towards receiving the right treatment to improve your quality of life. That’s why we offer a no-cost care assessment, to give you an idea of what your needs are.

How Long Do Manic Episodes Last: The Highs

Manic symptoms must last at least one week to qualify as a manic episode, but can go on for much longer.

Mania is a state of extremely high energy where you have a decreased need for sleep, fast speech, racing thoughts, and risky or impulsive behaviors, like spending sprees. To be considered true mania, your symptoms must be severe enough to cause serious dysfunction with family, work, or other daily activities. This can be highly destructive and is easily picked up on by loved ones.

Hypomanic episodes, which feature less severe manic symptoms, must last at least four days to be diagnosed. Hypomania does not last as long as mania and is not as disruptive to daily life.

With proper treatment, manic episodes can be shortened and even eliminated for some people. When a manic episode goes untreated, it can last for weeks or months. In some cases, manic episodes can last as long as a year. If you or someone you know is experiencing a manic episode, it is important to get treatment to minimize the length of your episode.

How Long Do Depressive Episodes Last: The Lows

Depressive episodes, on average, last longer than manic episodes. It is not uncommon for depressive episodes to last for months at a time. To qualify as major depression, an episode must last at least two weeks. The average length of a major depressive episode is a little over 5 months. Untreated, some depressive episodes go on for years at a time.

During a depressive episode, you will be lethargic and feel a lack of motivation to complete tasks. Depression also makes you feel worthless or like there is no hope that life will improve. Many depressed people also experience thoughts of self harm or suicide.

If you or someone you know is thinking about harming yourself or someone else, get medical attention immediately. With the right combination of medication and therapy, depression is treatable.

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Timeline of Bipolar Disorder Episodes

The timeline of a bipolar episode is different depending on the person and can be impacted by several other factors.

A few factors that impact the timeline of bipolar episodes include:

Your symptoms must last for a minimum timeframe to qualify for a specific diagnosis. There is not a maximum length of time, and the duration depends on the individual.

In many cases, mania will occur before depression, but this is not always the case. Some people experience depressive episodes first. If you have mixed-type bipolar, you’ll experience both depressive and manic symptoms at the same time.

It is common to experience a bipolar episode once or twice a year on average, but this can be managed with medication and therapy. The reality is that the timeline for bipolar episodes varies widely depending on the person and their needs.

What Are Bipolar Cycles: Types of Bipolar

Bipolar cycles are the process of “cycling” through different stages of mania and depression associated with bipolar disorder. You go from mania or hypomania to depression, and eventually back again. These will look different depending on the type of bipolar that you have.

If you have bipolar I, you will go through cycles of manic and depressive episodes. Some people with bipolar I also experience hypomanic periods, which are less intense than manic episodes, but with many of the same symptoms.

With bipolar II, you do not experience a manic state. Instead, you experience hypomania, which is milder. You’ll feel extremely excited, have lots of energy, or even improve your performance at work or school.

You also experience depression. You’ll experience increased or decreased need for sleep, and changes in appetite, as well as other depressive symptoms as listed above.

Cyclothymic disorder is a milder form of bipolar where you rapidly cycle between hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms. These symptoms are not as extreme as they are for someone with bipolar II.

To be diagnosed with cyclothymic disorder you must experience periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms over two years, without these symptoms being as severe as full episodes. In those two years, your symptoms must be present at least half the time and not stop for any longer than two months at a time.

You can also experience mixed bipolar, which occurs when manic and depressive symptoms happen at the same time.

How Fast Can Bipolar Cycle: Rapid Cycling

In some cases, bipolar disorder cycles very quickly. In clinical terms “rapid cycling” is diagnosed if you go through four bipolar episodes within one year. “Ultra rapid cycling” can be diagnosed if you cycle through symptoms within a 24 hour period. It can be difficult to differentiate between ultra rapid cycling and a mixed episode.

Neither rapid nor ultra rapid cycling are permanent. While rapid cycling can occur at any point during the condition, it will not reoccur for everyone. Rapid cycling is rare and occurs only in a small portion of people with bipolar disorder.

You are more likely to experience rapid cycling if your symptoms began when you were very young or if you’ve been living with bipolar for a long time. The use of alcohol and other substances can also make rapid cycling more likely to occur.

What Bipolar Cycles Feel Like: Extreme Emotions

Bipolar cycles feel like swinging from one extreme to the next. You go from feeling practically invincible, like you could take on the world with lots of energy, then you feel like there is no hope and nothing will ever be okay again.

It can be a real rollercoaster of emotions, and can make life more difficult to manage. When you are in the throes of the bipolar cycle, you feel like you are not yourself and your decisions are not your own. As you come out of a depressive episode you find yourself having to catch up on things you didn’t have the energy for. Alternatively, you could make decisions during a manic episode that you wouldn’t have made otherwise, like quitting your job or fighting with a romantic partner.

Many people with bipolar disorder experience some warning signs that an episode is about to start. Changes in sleep pattern as well as moderate changes in mood can be precursors to more extreme emotional shifts for people with bipolar.

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Treating Bipolar Cycles in Houston, TX

If you believe that you or your loved one is experiencing symptoms of bipolar disorder, it is vital to get treatment.

Treatment for bipolar involves a combination of medication and therapy. The most common medications for bipolar disorder are mood stabilizers and antipsychotics. Cognitive behavioral therapy is also used to help you understand the relationship between your thoughts, feelings, and actions. In therapy, you will learn to identify thoughts that lead to harmful actions leading up to and during a bipolar episode, as well as tools you can use to redirect those behaviors.

A good treatment program should cater to your individual needs and help you find the best fit for you. With the right combination of treatment options, it is possible to limit the length and occurrence of bipolar episodes. With the right treatment, you can live a long and happy life with bipolar disorder.

SUN Behavioral Health Houston solves unmet needs in the community. We provide treatment for both adults and adolescents living with bipolar disorder. We are ready to help you learn to manage your symptoms and live a happy, healthy life. To learn more, contact us at 713-796-2273.

Solving Unmet Needs

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