The assessment and treatment of the rapid-cycling variant of bipolar disord
er in individuals with developmental disabilities is challenging. Outcomes
are optimized by a long-term commitment to the establishment of objective m
onitoring systems by interdisciplinary teams. In this retrospective case se
ries, we contrast the phenomenology, clinical outcomes, treatment responses
, and clinical characteristics of 26 individuals with bipolar disorder and
developmental disabilities, 12 with nonrapid cycling courses and 14 with ra
pid cycling courses. Similarities and differences are highlighted both with
in these two groups and in reference to published findings for individuals
without disabilities.