What triggers cyclothymia?

The causes of cyclothymia are not known, but there's probably a genetic link because cyclothymia, depression and bipolar disorder all tend to run in families. In some people, traumatic events or experiences may act as a trigger for the condition, such as severe illness or long periods of stress.

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.

Does cyclothymia go away?

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

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.

Is cyclothymia a serious mental illness?

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.

What is Cyclothymia?

How a person with cyclothymia thinks?

If you have cyclothymia, you'll have periods of feeling low followed by periods of extreme happiness and excitement (called hypomania) when you do not need much sleep and feel that you have a lot of energy. The periods of low mood do not last long enough and are not severe enough to be diagnosed as clinical depression.

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.

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).

How long are cyclothymia episodes?

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.

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.

When does cyclothymia start?

Cyclothymia is thought to be relatively rare. But true estimates are hard to make because people may be undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as having other mood disorders, such as depression. Cyclothymia typically starts during the teenage years or young adulthood. It affects about the same number of males and females.

What are the risks of cyclothymia?

People may have difficulty developing stable work or personal relationships, instead moving through short-lived romances or erratic job performance. Impulsive behavior can be self-destructive and lead to legal problems. People with cyclothymic disorder are also more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol.

How do you recover from cyclothymia?

The main treatments for cyclothymia are medications and psychotherapy. While no medications are specifically approved for the treatment of cyclothymia, there are some that can be used effectively, when managed by a professional provider: Anti-anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines. Mood stabilizers such as lithium.

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.

Is anxiety part of cyclothymia?

Cyclothymia is characterized by early onset, persistent, spontaneous and reactive mood fluctuations, associated with a variety of anxious and impulsive behaviors, resulting in a very rich and complex clinical presentation.

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.

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.

Is cyclothymic disorder more severe than bipolar?

Cyclothymic disorder is a milder form of bipolar disorder involving many "mood swings," with hypomania and depressive symptoms that occur frequently. People with cyclothymia experience emotional ups and downs but with less severe symptoms than bipolar I or II disorder.

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 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.