Cyclothymic Disorder
Cyclothymic Disorder
Cyclothymic Disorder
Cyclothymia or cyclothymic disorder, is a mood disorder that looks like a milder form of bipolar disorder types I and II. Cyclothymia is characterized by episodes of depressive symptoms and hypomanic symptoms which are not severe enough to warrant a diagnosis of major depressive disorder or hypomania.
Many people with cyclothymia are not even aware they have it, their highs and lows or unpredictable mood swings accepted as part of their personality makeup. Despite symptoms being milder, forming a treatment plan with a mental health specialist will help one mange the symptoms and reduce the chances of developing bipolar disorder.
Prevalence
The rates for cyclothymia range from 0.4 to 8% depending on the study, and it affects males and females equally. The typical age of onset of cyclothymia is from late childhood to early adulthood.
Symptoms of Cyclothymic Disorder:
Mild hypomanic symptoms last for varied amounts of time depending on the person. They include:
Depressive symptoms in cyclothymia are similar to those of major depressive disorder. Symptoms include:
Diagnosing Cyclothymic Disorder:
Cyclothymia tends to be underdiagnosed due to its relatively milder symptomatology and because DSM-5 criteria are limiting. This could mean that some people are given the wrong diagnosis and treatment plan for their condition because their symptoms don’t match all the criteria.
Once all possible medical reasons for the mood swings are ruled out, diagnosis of cyclothymia depends on the following factors:
Symptoms can often look like mood swings that are passed off by the individual or family as part of the person’s personality. A daily journal of when mood swings occur can help greatly in the diagnosis. Some mental health professionals argue that cyclothymia is more of a personality disorder than a mood disorder, but as of 2020, no additional criteria for diagnosis are available.
Causes of Cyclothymic Disorder
The cause of cyclothymia remains unknown. Individuals who have a family history of cyclothymia are at increased risk of developing this mood disorder.
Cyclothymia commonly coexists with other mood disorders such as depression, atypical depression, ADHD, eating disorders, separation anxiety, and anxiety disorder. Adults with impulse control issues are also prone to it.
Risks of Cyclothymic Disorder:
People with cyclothymia are at increased risk of developing full-blown bipolar affective disorder — bipolar type I or bipolar type II.
They are also at increased risk of suicide and self-harm.
Treatment of Cyclothymic Disorder:
Treatment options for cyclothymia include psychotherapy and medication. Cyclothymia requires ongoing, lifelong treatment to lessen the number and severity of symptoms and prevent relapse or the disorder developing into bipolar disorder.
Cyclothymic Disorder Complications:
The symptoms of cyclothymia can interfere significantly with the ability to function well in social, academic, occupational, and relational settings.
With regards to romantic relationships, people with cyclothymia can experience increased libido (desire for sexual activity) that be intense during hypomanic phases; and they can become reclusive and can have reduced sex drive during depressive phases. This can lead to individuals with cyclothymia having short-lived and tumultuous relationships.
Symptoms of Cyclothymic Disorder:
Mild hypomanic symptoms last for varied amounts of time depending on the person. They include:
Depressive symptoms in cyclothymia are similar to those of major depressive disorder. Symptoms include:
Diagnosing Cyclothymic Disorder:
Cyclothymia tends to be underdiagnosed due to its relatively milder symptomatology and because DSM-5 criteria are limiting. This could mean that some people are given the wrong diagnosis and treatment plan for their condition because their symptoms don’t match all the criteria.
Once all possible medical reasons for the mood swings are ruled out, diagnosis of cyclothymia depends on the following factors:
Symptoms can often look like mood swings that are passed off by the individual or family as part of the person’s personality. A daily journal of when mood swings occur can help greatly in the diagnosis. Some mental health professionals argue that cyclothymia is more of a personality disorder than a mood disorder, but as of 2020, no additional criteria for diagnosis are available.
Causes of Cyclothymic Disorder:
The cause of cyclothymia remains unknown. Individuals who have a family history of cyclothymia are at increased risk of developing this mood disorder.
Cyclothymia commonly coexists with other mood disorders such as depression, atypical depression, ADHD, eating disorders, separation anxiety, and anxiety disorder. Adults with impulse control issues are also prone to it.
Risks of Cyclothymic Disorder:
People with cyclothymia are at increased risk of developing full-blown bipolar affective disorder — bipolar type I or bipolar type II.
They are also at increased risk of suicide and self-harm.
Treatment of Cyclothymic Disorder:
Treatment options for cyclothymia include psychotherapy and medication. Cyclothymia requires ongoing, lifelong treatment to lessen the number and severity of symptoms and prevent relapse or the disorder developing into bipolar disorder.
Cyclothymic Disorder complications:
The symptoms of cyclothymia can interfere significantly with the ability to function well in social, academic, occupational, and relational settings.
With regards to romantic relationships, people with cyclothymia can experience increased libido (desire for sexual activity) that be intense during hypomanic phases; and they can become reclusive and can have reduced sex drive during depressive phases. This can lead to individuals with cyclothymia having short-lived and tumultuous relationships.