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This page is an AI-assisted Turkish summary of the study presented at the 26th World Congress of Psychiatry. The study belongs to the presenting authors; please refer to the original source when citing it.

Rapid cycling bipolar disorder: current status and future directions

Rcbd: current status, future directions

Rapid cycling bipolar disorder is a common course pattern associated with a more severe course, greater disability, and more frequent suicidal behavior, and early recognition is crucial for treatment outcomes.

The presentation addresses the current status and future directions of rapid cycling bipolar disorder (RCBD), defined by the occurrence of four or more distinct mood episodes (manic, hypomanic, depressive, or mixed) within a 12-month period. Reported annual prevalence estimates range from 5% to 33.3%, while lifetime prevalence ranges from 25.8% to 43%. Current diagnostic systems define rapid cycling based on episode frequency and classify it as a course specifier for bipolar disorders; it is more common in bipolar II disorder and in women. Diagnosis requires careful assessment because mood instability may overlap with personality disorders, particularly emotionally unstable personality disorder. The etiology is multifactorial; certain treatments, such as antidepressants and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), as well as hypothyroidism, are discussed as potential contributing factors. RCBD is associated with greater disability, higher rates of suicidal behavior, a more severe course, earlier onset, and increased substance misuse. The presentation concludes that early recognition and the development of clearer, more specific diagnostic criteria will improve clinical understanding and management.

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