Mood Fluctuations – Including Rapid Cycling and the “In-Between” Days

22 May 2025 Lyndon

Let’s talk about the in-between, aka the messy middle. The part that doesn’t get mentioned as often in leaflets or everyday conversations. It’s not full-blown mania, neither is it a deep, flat depression. But it’s still bipolar – and it still affects everything.

Bipolar disorder isn’t always about dramatic shifts. Often, it’s about the grey areas: the sudden dips, the unexpected highs, and the days when your brain changes the channel on you mid-conversation. These are the mood fluctuations – and they can be just as hard to manage as the big episodes.

Not Always Either/Or

One of the trickiest things about bipolar is that it’s not always predictable. Yes, there are distinct periods of mania and depression. But between those, there are shifts. Swings. Fluctuations. They can be mild or intense, brief or long-lasting. They can sneak up on you or crash through the door without warning.

You might wake up hopeful, then feel flat by lunchtime. Or you might spend a few days just a little too “up” or unusually irritable, without tipping into full mania.

It’s like living with a weather system inside your head – clear skies one minute, drizzle the next. No thunderstorm warning. No forecast.

Rapid Cycling: The Fast Lane

Some people experience what’s known as rapid cycling. This means having four or more mood episodes (mania, hypomania, depression, or mixed states) in a year. But it’s more frequent for some – weekly, even daily shifts. It’s exhausting. And it’s often misunderstood.

Rapid cycling doesn’t mean you’re moody. It means your brain is switching through extremes faster than most people can recover. This unpredictability can be incredibly tough, leaving you struggling to build momentum, trust your emotions, or plan your week.

You might feel:

Unstable or inconsistent
Frustrated that you can’t “catch a break”
Confused about how you felt only yesterday
Tired of having to constantly readjust
Worried that others think you’re unpredictable or unreliable

It’s not about being flaky. It’s neurological. It’s bipolar, just with a shorter attention span.

Mixed States and Mood Mash-Ups

Then there are the mixed states. These are episodes where you experience symptoms of both mania and depression at the same time.

You might feel agitated, wired, restless – but also hopeless, despairing, or suicidal. It’s like having your foot on the gas and the brake at the same time. Your body wants to move; your mind wants to disappear.

Mixed states are dangerous. This combination of energy and despair can lead to impulsive decisions and intense distress. If this sounds familiar, please speak to someone. You don’t have to go through it alone.

The “In-Between” Days

Some days don’t feel like an episode at all. They’re just… off. Or weird. Or fragile. You’re not manic, not depressed, but you’re definitely not steady.

Maybe:

You’re extra sensitive to noise or emotion
You feel “not quite yourself” but can’t explain why
Your thoughts are a bit scattered, but you’re still functioning
You’re tired in your bones but not in your brain
You feel fine, and then suddenly, you don’t

These days matter. They’re easy to dismiss because you can still get things done. But they can be early warning signs to slow down, rest, or check in with someone.

Don’t underestimate the “almosts.” Bipolar doesn’t clock in only during the big episodes.

Why This Part Often Gets Missed

Mood fluctuations don’t always tick the boxes in a clinical manual. They’re subtle, shapeshifting, and often dismissed – by others and even by us. You might think:

“I’m just being emotional.”
“It’s probably stress.”
“Maybe I’m overreacting.”
“It’s nothing compared to last time.”

But these changes are part of the condition. Recognising them is how you build insight and resilience. This is where true management starts – not just reacting to the extremes but learning to spot the patterns in between.

How to Cope With Mood Fluctuations

It’s not about stopping swings in their tracks, but about learning how to cope with them, gently steer them, and eventually soften the landing.

Here’s what can help:

Track your moods. Use an app, journal, or mood calendar. Over time, you’ll notice patterns, triggers, and rhythms.
Look for early warning signs. Do you get a certain kind of restlessness before mania? A certain type of withdrawal before depression? Learn your signs.
Stick to routines. Sleep, meals, movement, and rest – they matter. They act like scaffolding when your mood wobbles.
Avoid big decisions during swings. If you’re feeling unusually high or low, delay major life choices. Your brain might not be giving you the full picture.
Talk to people you trust. Sometimes others spot your shifts before you do.
Have a plan. Know what to do when things start to slide. Who to call. What helps. What hurts. Make a list and keep it handy.

Living With It

Mood fluctuations aren’t a failure of your management. They’re simply part of the condition and don’t mean you’re broken, unstable or unreliable. These fluctuations can cause your brain to respond to the world with intensity and unpredictability.

It takes strength to live with that. It takes awareness, practice, and support.

But it’s possible to build a life that adapts, not just reacts. A life where you notice the shifts, adjust your sails and keep going – even when the wind changes without warning.

Photo by Orkun Azap on Unsplash