Is cyclothymia a serious mental illness?

The lows consist of mild or moderate depressive symptoms. Cyclothymia symptoms are similar to those of bipolar I or II disorder, but they're less severe. When you have cyclothymia, you can typically function in your daily life, though not always well.

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.

Is cyclothymic disorder a disability?

Because your mood and mental state can change rapidly from day to day, your cyclothymic disorder can make it difficult to hold a steady job, function in a social setting, and, in extreme cases, carry out daily living activities. For these reasons, the VA characterizes it as a disability.

Is cyclothymia a lifelong?

Cyclothymia requires lifelong treatment — even during periods when you feel better — usually guided by a mental health provider skilled in treating the condition.

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.

What is Cyclothymic Disorder?

What can cyclothymia lead to?

Can cyclothymia be severe?

Living with cyclothymia

But some people with cyclothymia see their elevated or depressed moods become more severe. Other people will find their cyclothymia continues and they need to manage this as a lifelong condition.

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.

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 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.

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 quickly does cyclothymia cycle?

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 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).

What is the most severe bipolar disorder?

Bipolar I disorder is the most severe form of the illness. Bipolar II disorder is characterized by predominantly depressive episodes accompanied by occasional hypomanic episodes. Hypomanic episodes are milder than manic episodes but can still impair functioning.

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.

How long do cyclothymia episodes last?

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.

What is the best therapy for cyclothymia?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Like psychoeducation, CBT can be adapted to help you handle cyclothymia-specific issues. In CBT, the focus is on becoming aware of thought patterns that lead to mood changes. For example, CBT can help you: address thought patterns that contribute to mood changes.

What is a cyclothymic temperament?

Background: Cyclothymic temperament (CT) is a more or less 'permanent' instability of mood, thinking and activity (behaviour), which is frequent in bipolar disorders. Testing the impact of age on CT items, as has been done in many mood disorders, could further define its features.

What is the first line treatment for cyclothymia?

First-line psychotropic treatment of cyclothymia is the administration of a mood stabilizer--valproate if anxiety is dominant, lamotrigine if the anxious-depressive polarity is more prominent, and lithium for significant affective intensity.

Can you recover from cyclothymia?

You will require lifelong treatment for a diagnosis of cyclothymia. You may experience periods of time where you feel better, those moments in between the emotional highs and lows, but you will still need to continue treating your condition to control the symptoms.

How often do people with cyclothymia have mood swings?

The frequency of mood swings in cyclothymic disorder is higher than in bipolar disorder. There may be no periods of stable mood between episodes, and periods of stable mood will last for less than two months. Depressive symptoms will have lasted for at least two years or one year for children and teenagers.

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).