How long do periods of cyclothymia last?

Periods of stable moods usually last less than two months. Your symptoms significantly affect you socially, at work, at school or in other important areas. Your symptoms don't meet the criteria for bipolar disorder, major depression or another mental disorder.

How long do mood swings last in cyclothymia?

Mood swings will be fairly frequent – you will not go for longer than 2 months without experiencing low mood or an emotional high.

How long is cyclothymia cycle?

Cyclothymic disorder is a cycling mood disorder lasting for 2 years or more and is characterized by numerous periods with hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms that do not meet criteria for bipolar disorder or major depression.

How long do cyclothymia symptoms last?

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.

What is a Cyclothymic episode?

Cyclothymic disorder is a mental disorder. It is a mild form of bipolar disorder (manic depressive illness), in which a person has mood swings over a period of years that go from mild depression to emotional highs.

Cyclothymic Disorder in a Minute

What are the phases of cyclothymia?

People with cyclothymia experience both depressive phases and hypomanic phases (which are less severe than full manic episodes). The depressive and hypomanic symptoms in cyclothymia last for variable amounts of time due to the unstable and reactive nature of the disorder.

What does a cyclothymia high feel like?

Signs and symptoms of the highs of cyclothymia may include: An exaggerated feeling of happiness or well-being (euphoria) Extreme optimism. Inflated self-esteem.

How often does cyclothymia turn into bipolar?

It's unclear exactly what determines who will develop bipolar disorder and who will not, but it's thought that between 15 percent and 50 percent of people with cyclothymic disorder will go on to develop bipolar disorder.

Who is most likely to cyclothymia?

It is estimated that the rate of occurrence of cyclothymia in the general population is between 0.4% to 1%. It affects men and women at the same rates. Women, however, are more likely to seek treatment. While typical onset of the disorder occurs during adolescence, its onset is consistently hard to identify.

How does cyclothymia develop?

Many experts say cyclothymic disorder is a mild form of bipolar disorder. No one is sure what causes cyclothymia or bipolar disorder. Genetics play a role in the development of both these disorders. People with cyclothymia are more likely to have relatives with bipolar disorder and vice versa.

Is cyclothymia rapid cycling?

My variety of cyclothymia is the rapid cycling form, which means that my depressed and hypomanic cycles can happen much faster than the those with the “traditional” form of a mood cycling disorder.

Can you live a normal life with cyclothymia?

Someone with cyclothymic disorder can generally function normally but have some challenges because of the mood shifts.

Why is cyclothymia rare?

Cyclothymia is rare, affecting less than 1% of the population. Because it is often diagnosed as another disorder or goes unnoticed, it is possible this number is underestimated.

What is the best medication for cyclothymia?

Anticonvulsants, another type of medication most often used to treat seizures and bipolar disorder, could also help with some cyclothymia symptoms. Limited research has looked into the effectiveness of these anticonvulsant meds for cyclothymia treatment: valproate (Depakote) lamotrigine (Lamictal)

What is the best therapy for cyclothymia?

Therapy for Cyclothymia

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help people learn to reframe negative thoughts that may occur during a depressive episode. CBT may also help people discover what makes their symptoms worse and learn other strategies for managing their mood.

Is cyclothymia worse than bipolar?

The highs and lows of cyclothymia are less extreme and less severe than those of bipolar disorder, but they can interfere with your ability to function and increase your risk of developing bipolar I or II disorder, according to the Mayo Clinic.

What famous people have cyclothymia?

Charlene Soraia, British singer-songwriter, musician has cyclothymia. Britney Spears, American singer, songwriter, and dancer. Phil Spector, American record producer. Alonzo Spellman, American football player.

Can you get disability for cyclothymia?

Yes, bipolar disorder is a disability according to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Whether you have bipolar I, bipolar II, or cyclothymia (cyclothymic disorder), it can qualify if it leaves you unable to work.

Can cyclothymia turn into BPD?

Cyclothymia and borderline personality (BPD): Some research shows that cyclothymia is more common in individuals with borderline personality than in those with other personality disorders. According the the DSM-5, these conditions can co-occur when the diagnostic criteria for both are met.

What happens if cyclothymia goes untreated?

Untreated cyclothymia can turn into bipolar disorder. Cyclothymia, or cyclothymic disorder, is a rare condition that causes mood swings. Doctors consider it a milder form of bipolar disorder, meaning the highs and lows aren't as extreme.

How does cyclothymia affect the brain?

Patients diagnosed as cyclothymic experienced brief hypomanic periods (lasting fewer than four days) and brief mild depressive periods (lasting fewer than two weeks). Within a day, mood alterations from feeling high to feeling low are common. This mood pattern is persistent for two years or more.

How do you live with someone with cyclothymia?

Remind your loved one to keep working with a doctor to find the right treatment. If you notice changes in mood swings or the person finds that symptoms do not ease up, talk about setting up an appointment. Keep healthy habits in mind. Talk about the importance of getting good sleep, exercising, and eating well.

Does cyclothymia affect sleep?

A large-scale web-based survey indicated that “cyclothymic temperament” has been associated with prolonged sleep latency, later sleep schedule, frequent nighttime awakenings, poor sleep quality, and high rates of daily and occasional use of sleep medications (Ottoni, Lorenzi, & Lara, 2011).

Is cyclothymia similar to BPD?

Within the spectrum of bipolar disorders, cyclothymic temperament appears to be the most similar to BPD.

What is the usual age of onset for cyclothymic disorders?

The DSM-5 notes that the typical onset of Cyclothymic Disorder is in adolescence or early adulthood, though it can appear in children (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).