Frequency of relapses

Bipolar disorders are serious mental health conditions characterised by marked swings of mood. The extremes of mood vary from those of an elated, euphoric mood (mania) to those of very low, depressed mood (depression). The hallmark of Bipolar disorders is that the illness is episodic with phases or cycles of mania (hypomania) and depression. These episodes are often referred to as relapses. People do not usually suffer from symptoms of mania and depression at the same time, although some do. In between episodes of mania and depression, mood may be normal. This is described as a remission. Any phase may last weeks to months at a time. Episodes of acute mania, whether or not treated, tend to last six months. Remissions may last months to years. The condition tends however to recur leading to long - term disability.

Rapid cycling disorders (a variant of Bipolar disorder) are those in which a pattern of frequent relapse and remission occurs (at least 4 episodes a year). Episodes may be manic, depressive or a mixture of both. This type of illness is more commonly seen in women.