mixed state AND/OR rapid-cycling?

i kno somethings off with me, but i dont kno how to define it. finally i realized i could be having a mixed state.. can anyone help me see if this is what might be going on?

im irritable, very anxious, i have alot of plans to accomplish, many things to do, but im too tired and not energized/motivated enough to do them. i swing, almost daily, between being happy and hopeful and excited about the future, to not wanting to get there at all.

It sounds like it can be two things. either a mixed episode or rapid cycling, I would talk to your doc about it. I can relate to feeling happy one moment and in the same day not having any hope.

I think it's possible to be both rapid cycling and experience mixed moods. The problem I have is that many times I cannot tell if I'm cycling, mixed or just responding to emotions. Before I began meds I had maybe one or two baseline days per month, most of the time in hypomania and every 6-8 days depression. The meds seem to help the severity of the symptoms but lately I have had more mixed moods and more frequent cycles. Tracking your moods and presenting them to both your pdoc and your tdoc is the most helpful, at least it has been in my case. Also, I think my self-talk plays a big role in mixed moods, not sure if it has anything to do with rapid cycling. Many times I get so frustrated when manic, and seeing how it affects people around me, seems to lead to mixed moods. Having a good support system is key, I think.

It is possible to have both mixed moods and rapid cycling, its not common but its out there. I know becasue I live it everyday. I get so confused with myslelf that I can just sit and cry and be laughing at the same time. I have started my mood chart and there is no consistency at all, I have been doing them for 3 mths. I have had 4 maybe 5 days we im what most call baseline and as for the rest I ride the rollercoaster every day all day. Im on meds, meds that atm are working but I will tell you honestly its bloody hard. I write poetry when Im at hells gates and manic well lets not go there. I have lost everything that is important to me and I have no idea if I will ever get it back. Feel free to email if you want Im happy to help anyone with anything if I can.

I suffered from rapid cycling once a month and mixed states every 3rd month for a long time. My mixed states made me feel very depressed and very agitated at the same time. I would be so depressed and totally panicked and think that something had to be done because I couldn't live like this. I would pace and cry and could not sleep. This was a very dangerous time for me and I made a couple of suicide attempts in this state. You really have to watch this state. Really talk to the doc about it. I was put on depakote and that really helped with the manic side. I've had to come off it because of side effects, but at the time it really saved me. I now take lamectal, celexa and wellbutrin. I very rarely go manic but I do get very depressed. Only now I just want to sleep and do not get the suicide thoughts any more.