maybe Jump to: Signs & Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatments Lifestyle What is Cyclothymia? Most people have heard of bipolar disorder (manic depressive disorder) , where individuals experience cycles of highs and lows (mania and depression). But, what is cyclothymia (cyclothymic disorder)? Cyclothymia is a rare mood disorder which has similar characteristics of bipolar disorder, just in a milder and more chronic form. If you are suffering from cyclothymia, you experience cyclic highs and lows that are persistent for at least two years or more. With cyclothymic disorder, your lows are a mild depression not characteristic of full major depression . Your highs are classified as symptomatic of hypomania a less severe form of mania. During your highs, your mood elevates for a time before returning to its baseline. During your lows you feel mildly depressed. In between your elevated and depressed moods, you are likely to feel like yourself. Everyone has their ups and downs, right? What distinguishes cyclothymia from regular mood swings? Cyclothymia can increase your chances of developing bipolar disorder (estimates vary widely from a 15% to 50% increased risk of being diagnosed with bipolar disorder if suffering from cyclothymia) and your highs and lows interfere with your daily life functions and relationships so it s essential to seek treatment to get a handle on the disorder before it becomes fully disruptive. It is estimated that the rate of occurrence of cyclothymia in the general population is between 0.4% to 1%, with it equally affecting men and women. Though, women are more likely to seek treatment. While typical onset of the disorder occurs during adolescence, its onset is consistently hard to identify. Risk of suffering from Attention-Deficient/Hyperactivity Disorder, substance abuse , and sleep disorders are elevated among individuals suffering from cyclothymic disorder. What are the Symptoms? The standard diagnostic criteria from the American Psychiatric Association states that to be diagnosed with cyclothymia, you must meet all of the following: Multiple periods of hypomanic symptoms that do not meet criteria for a hypomanic episode and multiple periods of depressive symptoms that do not meet criteria for a major depressive episode for at least two years (one year for children and adolescents) Throughout the two year (one for children and adolescents) time frame, symptoms of hypomania and depression have been present for at least half the time, with no more than two consecutive months showing no symptoms Criteria for a major depressive episode, manic episode, or hypomanic episode have never been met Other mental disorders (e.g., schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, delusional disorder) have been ruled as the the contributing factor to hypomanic and depressive symptoms Hypomanic and depressive symptoms are not related to medications, substance abuse, or other medical conditions Hypomanic and depressive symptoms cause significant disruption in social, occupational, or other functional areas If you or someone you know is suffering from cyclothymia, depressive signs and symptoms may include the following: Feelings of sadness, emptiness, and hopelessness Irritability Feeling tearful Sleep disturbances sleeping much more or much less than usual Restlessness Feelings of worthlessness and guilt Fatigue Concentration problems Suicidal thoughts Loss of interest in activities once considered pleasurable Weight changes due to eating much more or much less than usual Lack of motivation Impaired judgment, planning, or problem-solving abilities Low self-esteem Pessimism Loneliness Submissiveness Social withdrawal Difficulty handling conflict Lacking meaning and purpose in life If you or someone you know is suffering from cyclothymia, hypomanic signs and symptoms may include the following: Euphoric state exaggerated sense of well-being and happiness Inflated self-esteem Inflated optimism Irritability and agitation Decreased need for sleep Racing thoughts Poor judgment resulting in risky behaviors Talking more than usual Excessive physical activity Easily distracted Concentration problems Increased drive to perform or reach goals Hyperactivity inability to sit still Emotional instability overreacting to events Reckless thrill seeking (e.g., gambling, sports) Impulsivity Irresponsibility What are the Causes and Risk Factors? Like most mental health disorders, the exact cause of cyclothymia is unknown. However, the genetic component of cyclothymia is strong. For cyclothymia, major depression, and bipolar mood disorders, a family history indicates a greater risk of development. Twin studies suggest that the risk of developing cyclothymia is 2-3 times more likely if an identical twin is diagnosed with the disorder, pointing to the strong genetic component of the mood disorder. Environmental factors are also a likely contributing factor to being diagnosed with cyclothymia. As with bipolar disorder and major depression, certain life events may increase your chances of developing cyclothymia. These include things like physical or sexual abuse or other traumatic experiences and prolonged periods of stress. Cyclothymia Tests and Diagnoses If you think you might be suffering from cyclothymia, seek the help of your medical doctor or mental health provider. Your doctor will likely perform a series of tests to make sure the causes of your depressive and hypomanic symptoms are not due to an underlying medical condition or medication you are taking. Your mental health provider will perform a series of assessments to diagnose the occurrence of cyclothymia, with the ultimate diagnosis being made on your mood history. During your psychological evaluation, the doctor will ask about your family history of mood disorders and might ask you to complete a daily diary of your moods to indicate mood swings that occur during a typical day. Treatment Options Medications and psychotherapy are the common treatment options prescribed to patients living with cyclothymia. Treatment is usually a chronic, lifelong process, with the aim to decrease your depressive and hypomanic symptoms and to decrease your risk of developing bipolar disorder. Currently, there are no known medications that can effectively treat cyclothymia, though, your doctor may prescribe commonly used medications known to treat bipolar disorder to ease your symptoms and reduce their frequency. Commonly prescribed drug treatments include the use of anticonvulsants and atypical antipsychotics such as Lithium and Quetiapine. Antidepressants have not been shown to be effective in the treatment of cyclothymia. More research is needed to successfully conclude the benefits of psychotherapy, or talk therapy, in the treatment of cyclothymia. However, some of the common methods used to treat bipolar disorder are also used in the treatment of cyclothymia, including: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) a focus on changing negative thoughts and beliefs into positive ones; stress management techniques; identification of trigger points Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) teaches awareness, distress tolerance, and emotional regulation Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) a focus on the stabilization of daily rhythms especially related to sleep, wake, and mealtimes; routines being indicative of helping stabilize moods Living with Cyclothymia Less than half of individuals living with cyclothymia develop bipolar disorder. In most, cyclothymia is a chronic disorder that remains prevalent throughout the lifetime. In others, cyclothymia seems to dissipate and resolve itself over time. The effects of cyclothymia can be detrimental to social, family, work, and romantic relationships. In addition, the impulsivity associated with hypomanic symptoms can lead to poor life choices, legal issues, and financial difficulties. Research has also shown that if you are suffering from cyclothymic disorder, you are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol. To decrease the negative effects of cyclothymia on your daily life, take your medications as directed, do not use alcohol or take recreational drugs, track your moods to provide helpful information to your mental health provider about the effectiveness of treatment, get plenty of sleep, and exercise regularly. Last Updated: Jul 31, 2017 different
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