What is episodic bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a chronic or episodic (which means occurring occasionally and at irregular intervals) mental disorder. It can cause unusual, often extreme and fluctuating changes in mood, energy, activity, and concentration or focus.

How long can a bipolar disorder episode last?

Untreated, an episode of mania can last anywhere from a few days to several months. Most commonly, symptoms continue for a few weeks to a few months. Depression may follow shortly after, or not appear for weeks or months. Many people with bipolar I disorder experience long periods without symptoms in between episodes.

What is the relative duration of depressed periods and manic periods in bipolar disorder?

In an early report, Kukopulos and his colleagues [10] reported average durations of 24 weeks for depression and 30 weeks for mania among BD-I subjects.

How long does a bipolar episode Last?

Typically, someone with bipolar disorder experiences one or two cycles a year, with manic episodes generally occurring in the spring or fall. A 2010 study of people with bipolar 1 disorder found that mood episodes lasted an average of 13 weeks.

What is a cycle in bipolar disorder?

More in Bipolar Disorder. In the context of bipolar disorder, a mental illness that involves extreme swings in mood, a cycle is the period of time in which an individual goes through one episode of mania and one episode of depression (or hypomania and depression). As for how often these cycles occur, there is, unfortunately, no definitive answer.

How often do people with bipolar disorder have manic episodes?

Typically, someone with bipolar disorder experiences one or two cycles a year, with manic episodes generally occurring in the spring or fall. A 2010 study of people with bipolar 1 disorder found that mood episodes lasted an average of 13 weeks. 1  On average, people with bipolar will have one or two cycles yearly.

What is a mixed episode in bipolar disorder?

An individual with bipolar disorder may have manic episodes, depressive episodes, or “mixed” episodes. A mixed episode has both manic and depressive symptoms. These mood episodes cause symptoms that last a week or two or sometimes longer. During an episode, the symptoms last every day for most of the day. Mood episodes are intense.