Cyclothymic Disorders

	Tweet

Definition

A disorder characterized by stages of mild mood changes with stages of mild depression and excitement (hypomania).
Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The cause of cyclothymic disorder is unknown. It is similar to bipolar disorder (manic depressive illness) but less extreme. The changes in mood are very irregular and abrupt, but the severity of the swings is less.

Symptoms

• alternating episodes of excitement (hypomania) and mild depression lasting for at least 2 years
  
• persistent symptoms, less than 2 consecutive symptom-free months

Signs and tests
The person’s own description of the behavior usually leads to diagnosis of the disorder.

Treatment
Cyclothymia is treated like bipolar disorder, though often not as aggressively. A combination of antimanic drugs, antidepressants, or psychotherapy appears to work best to treat this condition.

Support Groups
The stress of illness can often be helped by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems.
Expectations (prognosis)

There is likely to be a need for long-term treatment.

Complications
There is some potential for persistent depression or progression to more severe forms of bipolar disorder.
Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider or mental health professional if you experience persistent, alternating periods of depression and excitement; particularly if this is affecting your work or social life.

Prevention
Unknown

RELATED STORIES:
Phobias   Elder Abuse   Bipolar Disorder: Introduction, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment   When You’re Older and Depressed…   Depression: Need To Know   Dysthymia Disorder   Depression: The Invisible Disease   Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis and Symptoms   Premenstrual dysphoric disorder   Cocaine abuse may increase risk of Parkinson’s disease   Depression Linked To Stroke   Bipolar Disorder   Anxiety disorders   Depression: Electroconvulsive Therapy   Taking Care of Depression: A Primer

Comments

[ + Post Your Own ]

Now you're in the public comment zone. What follows is not Armenian Medical Network's stuff; it comes from other people and we don't vouch for it. A reminder: By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.

There are no comments for this entry yet. [ + Comment here + ]