OverviewWhat is cyclothymia?Cyclothymia (cyclothymic disorder) is a milder form of bipolar disorder. It involves frequent mood swings of hypomanic and depressive episodes. Show
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong mood disorder and mental health condition that causes intense shifts in mood, energy levels, thinking patterns and behavior. These shifts can last for days, weeks or months. They can interrupt your ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. People with cyclothymic experience episodes of hypomania and mild depression for at least two years. These changes in mood can occur quickly and at any time. A person with cyclothymia may have brief periods of normal mood (euthymia), but these periods last fewer than eight weeks. Who does cyclothymia (cyclothymic disorder) affect?Cyclothymia most often appears in adolescence or early adulthood. How common is cyclothymia (cyclothymic disorder)?Cyclothymia affects approximately 0.4% to 1% of people in the United States. Because many of the symptoms of cyclothymia overlap with other mental health conditions, many researchers think cyclothymia is considerably underdiagnosed and misdiagnosed. Symptoms and CausesWhat are the symptoms of cyclothymia (cyclothymic disorder)?Symptoms of cyclothymia include mood swings that alternate between episodes of hypomania and mild depression. While mood changes in bipolar I and II disorders happen over weeks, months and sometimes even years, mood changes in cyclothymia can happen spontaneously over brief periods — even within the same day. Hypomania symptoms in cyclothymiaHypomania is a condition in which you have a period of abnormally elevated, extreme changes in your mood or emotions, energy level and activity level. This energized level of energy, mood and behavior must be a change from your usual self and be noticeable to others. Hypomania is a less severe form of mania. Signs and symptoms of hypomania include:
Depressive symptoms in cyclothymiaA depressive episode involves feelings of hopelessness and a decreased interest in previously enjoyed activities. The symptoms of depressive episodes in cyclothymia are milder than those of major (clinical) depression. Signs and symptoms of a depressive episode include:
What causes cyclothymia?Researchers don’t know what exactly causes cyclothymia. They think there may be a genetic link, as cyclothymia, depression and bipolar disorder all tend to run in families. Traumatic events or experiences may trigger cyclothymia in some people, such as severe illness or long periods of stress. Diagnosis and TestsHow is cyclothymia (cyclothymic disorder) diagnosed?It can be difficult for healthcare providers to diagnose cyclothymia, as it has many overlapping symptoms of other mental health conditions, including:
To diagnose cyclothymia, a provider may use many tools, including:
Providers diagnose cyclothymia when:
In addition, the symptoms must cause significant distress or impair daily functioning. But they can’t be severe enough to meet the criteria for either major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder. Management and TreatmentHow is cyclothymia treated?Unfortunately, most people who have cyclothymia have symptoms that are mild enough that they don’t seek medical treatment and/or they don’t think they have a medical condition. Treatment for cyclothymia usually involves psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy is a term for a variety of treatment techniques that aim to help a person identify and change unhealthy emotions, thoughts and behaviors through conversations with a licensed mental health professional. There are several different types of psychotherapy. Studies have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) specifically works best to help treat cyclothymia. Psychotherapy can help reduce distress by teaching you to:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t approved any specific medications to treat cyclothymia. However, sometimes, providers prescribe a mood stabilizer to help reduce the swings in your mood. These medications may include valproate, lamotrigine and/or lithium. PreventionCan cyclothymia be prevented?Unfortunately, there’s no known way to prevent cyclothymia because scientists don’t know its exact cause. However, seeking help as soon as symptoms appear can help decrease the disruptions to your life and relationships. Outlook / PrognosisWhat is the prognosis for cyclothymia?The prognosis (outlook) for cyclothymia can vary. Irritability, emotional reactions and impulsivity often make it difficult for people with cyclothymia to build and maintain positive relationships with family, friends, coworkers and romantic partners. However, compared to people with bipolar disorder, people with cyclothymia may:
For those who do seek help for cyclothymia, early diagnosis and treatment can result in significant improvement in the long-term outlook. Living WithWhen should I see my healthcare provider about cyclothymia?If you’re experiencing shifting moods of hypomania and mild depression, it’s important to see a healthcare provider. If a provider has diagnosed you with cyclothymia, be sure to see your provider and/or therapist regularly for treatment. A note from Cleveland Clinic Cyclothymia is usually a lifelong illness. But ongoing treatment, such as talk therapy and medication, can help manage your symptoms and enable you to live a healthy, purposeful life. It’s important to seek medical help if you’re experiencing symptoms of cyclothymia. Know that your providers and loved ones are there to support you. Which of the following personality disorders involves mood swings?Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition. People with BPD have extreme mood swings, unstable relationships and trouble controlling their emotions. They have a higher risk of suicide and self-destructive behavior.
What are BPD mood swings like?People with borderline personality disorder may experience intense mood swings and feel uncertainty about how they see themselves. Their feelings for others can change quickly, and swing from extreme closeness to extreme dislike. These changing feelings can lead to unstable relationships and emotional pain.
What does BPD stand for?If you have borderline personality disorder (BPD), you probably feel like you're on a rollercoaster—and not just because of your unstable emotions or relationships, but also the wavering sense of who you are.
Which best describes Type C personality?The Type C personality is a very detail-oriented individual who likes to be involved in things that are controlled and stable. They're interested in accuracy, rationality, and logic.
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