Cyclothymia

Cyclothymic Disorder	Symptoms of Depression
Dysthymic Disorder	Symptoms of Mania
Medical Disorders	Mixed Symptoms
Seasonal Affective Disorder	Unipolar Depression
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Cyclothymia is a chronic form of bipolar disorder consisting of short periods of mild depression and hypomania separated by short periods of normal mood. Individuals with cyclothymia are never free of symptoms of either depression or hypomania for more than two months at a time. Although this disorder is not as severe as bipolar 1 and bipolar 2 disorders, it can completely disrupt the life of an individual and create personal chaos and pain. Cyclothymics never know from one day to the next what to expect.

Cyclothymia is equally common in men and women and is believed to affect 0.5 to 1 percent of the population. Symptoms normally appear in the teens or early twenties, but have been known to begin at all ages. Approximately 30 percent of individuals with cyclothymia will eventually go on to experience a full-blown manic episode or major depression - at which time their diagnosis is changed to bipolar 1 or 2.

The causes of cyclothymia are believed to be the same as those responsible for bipolar disorder. Although many people suffering from cyclothymia never seek treatment for their illness, help is available. Lithium and anticonvulsant medications have shown effective in treating a substantial number of people with cyclothymia.

DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria for Cyclothymia:

For at least 2 years, the presence of numerous periods with hypomanic symptoms and numerous periods with depressive symptoms that do not meet criteria for a Major Depressive Episode.

Note: In children and adolescents, the duration must be at least 1 year.

During the above 2-year period (1 year in children and adolescents), the person has not been without the symptoms in Criterion A for more than 2 months at a time.

No Major Depressive Episode, Manic Episode, or Mixed Episode has been present during the first 2 years of the disturbance.

Note: After the initial 2 years (1 year in children and adolescents) of Cyclothymic Disorder, there may be superimposed Manic or Mixed Episodes (in which case both Bipolar I Disorder and Cyclothymic Disorder may be diagnosed) or Major Depressive Episodes (in which case both Bipolar II Disorder and Cyclothymic Disorder may be diagnosed).

The symptoms in Criterion A are not better accounted for by Schizoaffective Disorder and are not superimposed on Schizophrenia, Schizophreniform Disorder, Delusional Disorder, or Psychotic Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.

The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism).

The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

Treatment of Cyclothymia:

Treatment for Cyclothymic Disorder is the same as in other forms of bipolar. A combination of therapy and medication is normally the most effective treatment approach. Medications commonly used include mood stabilizers, antidepressants and, in rare cases, antipsychotics. Medication for insomnia may also be prescribed if needed.

Personal Description of Cyclothymia:

"It is a constant battle between happiness and sadness, between feeling great and feeling nothing at all. I never know what to expect, or how I will feel in just a few short hours. Sometimes things outside me trigger changes in my mood and other times my mood changes everything outside me. It isn't ever feeling really depressed or suicidal, it is never knowing how I feel today or tomorrow or 5 minutes from now."
- Lisa