The exact causes of cyclothymia are not known, but it is often a result of the same genetic factors that cause bipolar disorder. In fact, there is an estimated 15% to 50% risk that people with cyclothymia will eventually be diagnosed with bipolar disorder following a full-blown manic episode or major depression.

People with cyclothymic disorder usually have a family history of major depression, bipolar disorder, suicide, or alcohol or drug dependence.

Radical changes in mood and behaviour (alternating between highs and lows) are typical signs of cyclothymia.

During a mood "high," the person may feel very optimistic and cheerful and may have an increased drive to reach their goals. Unfortunately, this is often coupled with poor judgment, racing thoughts, difficulty concentrating, and sometimes even aggressive behaviour. The "highs" of cyclothymia are similar to those of bipolar disorder but are less severe. In some cases, this mood elation may dominate a person’s mood, and this is known as chronic hypomania.

During a mood "low," the person has symptoms similar to depression: feeling sad and hopeless, losing interest in things they used to enjoy, feeling guilty or worthless, having trouble concentrating, thinking of suicide, and having problems with eating or sleeping. The "lows" of cyclothymia are similar to those seen in mild-to-moderate depression.

This continual - and unpredictable - mood cycling often takes its toll on an individual's life, even though altered mood episodes aren't as extreme as with bipolar disorder. Mood changes make it difficult to sustain enthusiasm for new projects or for work. Personal relationships tend to suffer from the "warm-cool" ups and downs of the person's mood. Over time, mood cycling can lead to repeated loss of employment and may become destructive to personal relationships.

Doctors may consider a diagnosis of cyclothymia if there is a history of mood instability for a period of at least 2 years, and symptom-free intervals never last more than 2 months. For children and adolescents, symptoms only need to be present for a one-year period.

Cyclothymia will otherwise be difficult to diagnose if a person's mood instability has not been recognized and tracked over at least a couple of years. Because mood may be normal and stable for long periods of time - mood elevations or depressions can be quite mild - symptoms do not always attract medical attention. People may not look for help until symptoms and mood swings become severe enough to interrupt normal functioning and activities.

If a person has experienced major depressive, manic, or mixed episodes, the diagnosis will likely be changed to bipolar disorder. Your doctor will usually also need to rule out other conditions, as these symptoms could be caused by substance abuse, physiological effects of certain medications, or an unrelated medical condition.

Medical options for treating cyclothymia include psychotherapy and medications. Medications for cyclothymia include lithium*, a mood stabilizer that is also used in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Lithium can reduce the frequency of mood cycling and keep moods more balanced. Other medication options include antipsychotic medications and certain antiseizure medications, which are used for mood stabilizing effects.

Because symptoms can be mild, it is possible that cyclothymia might never be diagnosed. It is also possible that it does not necessarily require treatment. In fact, a degree of hypomania may be responsible for a person's success in life, be it business or leadership drive or other achievements. For this reason, the decision to use a mood stabilizer should be made by weighing negative effects on their functioning against any positive effects of the hypomania.

However, for those who have a family history of bipolar disorder or who are at risk for a depressive episode, the symptoms may hit them hard and have drastic consequences. In such cases, awareness of cyclothymic and bipolar disorders, coupled with medical monitoring, can help prepare the individual for these episodes and ensure they get prompt and effective treatment.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2021. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Cyclothymic-Disorder