What is cyclothmia?

Answer 1

Definition

Cyclothymic disorder is a mild form of bipolar disorder in which a person has mood swings from mild or moderate depression to euphoria and excitement, but stays connected to reality.

Alternative Names

Cyclothymia

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The cause of cyclothymic disorder is unknown. Although the changes in mood are irregular and quick, the mood swings are far less severe than in Bipolar disorder (manic depressive illness). Unlike in bipolar disorder, periods of hypomania often do not become actual mania.

See also: Bipolar disorder

Symptoms

• Alternating episodes of hypomania and mild depression lasting for at least 2 years
• Patients tend to be more irritable or dark, rather than euphoric or happy
• Persistent symptoms (less than 2 symptom-free months in a row)

Signs and tests

The person's own description of the behavior usually leads to diagnosis of the disorder.

Treatment

A combination of antimanic drugs, antidepressants, or psychotherapy are used to treat cyclothymic disorder. Medications used to treat this condition are called mood stabilizers.

• Lithium. Lithium has been used for years in patients with bipolar disorder, and it may also help patients with cyclothymic disorder.
• Antiseizure drugs. Valproic acid (Valproate), carbamazepine (Tegretol), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), and lamotrigine (Lamictal) are the most established antiseizure drugs. Other antiseizure drugs used for bipolar disorders include gabapentin (Neurontin), zonisamide (Zonegran), and topiramate (Topamax).

Patients may not respond to medications as strongly as do patients with bipolar disorder.

Support Groups

You can ease the stress of illness by joining a support group whose members share common experiences and problems.

Expectations (prognosis)

Most people do not need long-term therapy.

Cyclothymic disorder may lead to full-blown bipolar disorder in some people, or it may continue as a chronic condition.

Complications

The condition can progress to bipolar disorder.

Calling your health care provider

Call a mental health professional if you or your child has persistent alternating periods of depression and excitement that negatively affect your work or social life.

References

McClellan J, Kowatch R, Findling RL; Work Group on Quality Issues. Practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with bipolar disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2007;46:107-125.

Miklowitz DJ, Otto MV, Frank E, et al. Psychosocial treatments for bipolar depression: a 1-year randomized trial from the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2007;64:419-426.

Answer 2

Definition

Cyclothymic disorder 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 euphoria and excitement.

Alternative Names

Cyclothymia

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The causes of cyclothymic disorder are unknown. Major depression, bipolar disorder, and cyclothymia often occur together in families. This suggests that these mood disorders share similar causes.

Cyclothymia usually begins early in life. It appears to be equally common in men and women.

Symptoms

• Episodes of hypomania (see: Bipolar disorder) and mild depression occur for at least 2 years (1 or more years in children and adolescents)
• Mood swings are less severe than in bipolar disorder, major depression, or mania
• Symptoms are persistent, with no more than 2 symptom-free months in a row

Signs and tests

Your description of your mood history usually leads to diagnosis of the disorder. Your health care providers may order blood and urine tests to rule out medical causes of mood swings.

Treatment

Mood stabilizing medication, antidepressants, talk therapy, or some combination of these three therapies may be used to treat cyclothymic disorder.

Some of the more commonly used mood stabilizers are:

• Lithium. Lithium has been used for years in patients with bipolar disorder, and it may also help patients with cyclothymic disorder.
• Antiseizure drugs. Valproic acid (Depakote), carbamazepine (Tegretol), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), and lamotrigine (Lamictal) are the most established mood stabilizing antiseizure drugs.

People with cyclothymia may not respond to medications as strongly as patients with bipolar disorder.

Support Groups

As with other illnesses, you can ease the stress of living with cyclothymia by joining a support group whose members share common experiences and problems.

Expectations (prognosis)

Less than half of people with cyclothymic disorder will eventually develop bipolar disorder. In other people, cyclothymia will continue as a chronic condition or disappear with time.

Complications

The condition can progress to bipolar disorder.

Calling your health care provider

Call a mental health professional if you or a loved one has persistent alternating periods of depression and excitement that negatively affect work, school, or social life. Seek immediate help if you or a loved one is having thoughts of suicide.

References

McClellan J, Kowatch R, Findling RL; Work Group on Quality Issues. Practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with bipolar disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2007;46:107-125.

Tress AV, Smetana GW. Medical evaluation of patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy. N Engl J Med. 2009;360:1437-1444.

Reviewed By

Review Date: 08/14/2010

David B. Merrill, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia Unviersity Medical Center, New York, NY. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Answer 3

Cyclothymia is a mild form of bipolar disorder characterized by mood swings that range from mild depression to mild mania. People with cyclothymia typically experience mood disturbances for at least two years, with periods of stability lasting no longer than two months. Treatment may involve therapy and medication to help manage symptoms.