Factors Linked to Bipolar Cycle Acceleration–
Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim conducted a study consisting of 210 participants (53.3% women) with bipolar I (68.1%) and bipolar II (31.9%) to identify factors linked to bipolar cycle acceleration (rapid cycling).
They found the following factors (listed in order of importance):
- Severity of episodes – there was a higher chance of rapid cycling when individual episodes were more severe.
- Depression dominant bipolar – There was a suggestion that rapid cycling was more likely with depression-dominant bipolar disorder.
- Bipolar II disorder, especially where depression was the first mood episode, had a higher rate of rapid cycling.
- Severe mania reduced the frequency – There was a negative correlation with the number of hospitalizations for mania.
- Positive correlation with hypomanic or manic episodes triggered by alcohol use or antidepressants.
- As with previous studies, women had a higher risk of rapid cycling.
What do you think about these conclusions? I would love to hear from people who identify and don’t identify with these factors to see if they experience cycle acceleration differently!
Check out this News Medical article and this PubMed page for more information.
-Arnrow