A person who experiences four or more alternations between mild mania and major depression within a one-year period would meet criteria for which description?

A person who experiences four or more alternations between mild mania and major depression within a one-year period would meet criteria for which description?

• A. Bipolar I
• B. Bipolar II rapid cycling
• C. Bipolar II seasonal
• D. Bipolar I mixed episodes

Answer: (B)

Four or more mood episodes within 12 months is termed rapid cycling. When those episodes are hypomanic (mild mania) and major depressive episodes, the pattern fits Bipolar II with rapid cycling. Bipolar I would require a full manic episode, seasonal patterns require a seasonal trigger pattern, and a mixed episode involves simultaneous mania and depression rather than alternating episodes.

Four or more mood episodes within 12 months is termed rapid cycling. When those episodes are hypomanic (mild mania) and major depressive episodes, the pattern fits Bipolar II with rapid cycling. Bipolar I would require a full manic episode, seasonal patterns require a seasonal trigger pattern, and a mixed episode involves simultaneous mania and depression rather than alternating episodes.