Cyclothymia: The See-Saw Mood Disorder

Cyclothymia, also called cyclothymic disorder, is a mild form of bipolar disorder. Like bipolar disorder, cyclothymia is a chronic mood disorder that causes emotional ups and downs.

With cyclothymia, you have short periods of emotional highs when you feel on top of the world, followed by lows that may leave you feeling hopeless and suicidal. And in between these cyclothymic highs and lows, you may have times when your mood is stable and you feel fine.

What sets cyclothymia apart from bipolar disorder is the reduced intensity of the highs and lows. Although these mood swings may bother you immensely, they're very difficult to try to manage on your own. The main treatment options for cyclothymia are medications and psychotherapy. Certain alternative medicine options also may be helpful.

Symptoms

The symptoms of cyclothymia are generally similar to those of bipolar disorder, but they're less severe and episodes don't last as long.

1.    Hypomanic phase

Signs and symptoms of hypomanic episodes of cyclothymia may include:

•    Unusually good mood or cheerfulness (euphoria)
•    Extreme optimism
•    Inflated self-esteem
•    Poor judgment
•    Rapid speech
•    Racing thoughts
•    Aggressive or hostile behavior
•    Being inconsiderate of others
•    Agitation
•    Increased physical activity
•    Risky behavior
•    Spending sprees
•    Increased drive to perform or achieve goals
•    Increased sexual drive
•    Decreased need for sleep
•    Tendency to be easily distracted
•    Inability to concentrate

2. Depressive phase

Signs and symptoms of depressive episodes of cyclothymia may include:

•    Sadness
•    Hopelessness
•    Suicidal thoughts or behavior
•    Anxiety
•    Guilt
•    Sleep problems
•    Appetite problems
•    Fatigue
•    Loss of interest in daily activities
•    Problems concentrating
•    Irritability
•    Chronic pain without a known cause

Causes   

The cause of cyclothymic disorder is unknown. Although the changes in mood are irregular and abrupt, the severity of the mood swings is far less extreme than that seen with bipolar disorder. Unlike in bipolar disorder, periods of hypomania in cyclothymic disorder do not progress into actual mania. In actual mania, a person may lose control over his or her behavior and go on spending binges, engage in highly risky sexual or drug-taking behavior, and become detached from reality.

Hypomanic periods can be energizing and a source of productivity, but may cause some people to become impulsive and unconcerned about others' feelings, which can damage relationships. Because hypomania feels good, some people with cyclothymia do not want to treat it.

Treatment for Cyclothymia

Common Treatment for Cyclothymia

•    Treatment for cyclothymia can include a variety of Cognitive and behavioural techniques.
•    Family therapy to help each family member deal with distress related to cyclothymia and to develop coping strategies.
•    Additionally, Mood stabilizers , such as Lithium and anticonvulsants , are often prescribed in low doses to treat cyclothymia.
•    Medications may help some people with cyclothymia to regulate their moods and prevent periods of hypomania and depression.
•    Medications commonly include is anticonvulsants, such as valproic acid (Depakene), divalproex (Depakote) and carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol).
•    Others antipsychotics, such as risperidone (Risperdal), olanzapine is useful for cyclothymia.

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