Cyclothymic Disorder Mental Health

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Cyclothymic Disorder is a chronic bipolar disorder consisting of short periods of mild depression and short periods of hypomania. Symptoms may last from as little as a few days to a number of weeks. Onset is separated by short periods of normal moods. Persons suffering from cyclothymia are never totally free of symptoms of either depression or hypomania for more than a number of months at a time.

The essential feature is a persistent instability of mood, involving numerous periods of mild depression and mild elation, none of which has been sufficiently severe or prolonged to fulfill the criteria for bipolar affective disorder or recurrent depressive disorder. This implies that individual episodes of mood swings do not fulfill the criteria for any of the categories described under manic episode or depressive episode.

During periods of low moods the sufferer will typically experience symptoms of depression, fatigue, sadness, emptiness, loss of interest and pleasure, irritability, anger, low appetite, trouble sleeping, restlessness, guilty feekings, have trouble concentrating and will think about about death and suicide.

During the high mood, the person with cyclothymic disorder experiences symptoms including such as elation, confidence, high level of energy, increased activity, productivity, loud and rapid speech, racing thoughts, risky or impulsive behaviour, increased sexual behaviour, over spending, over-eating, excessive drinking, irritability, anger and aggitation.

Differential Diagnosis
This disorder is common in the relatives of patients with bipolar affective disorder and some individuals with cyclothymia eventually develop bipolar affective disorder themselves. It may persist throughout adult life, cease temporarily or permanently, or develop into more severe mood swings meeting the criteria for bipolar affective disorder or recurrent depressive disorder.

Treatment

Psychotherapy
There is no clear choice of treatment for this disorder. Psychotherapy or medication can be tried first, or in conjunction with one another. Treatment often takes the form of individual psychotherapy, however group treatment can also be helpful for this disorder.

Medications

Lithium carbonate is often tried especially if the mood swings seem to be similar to those found in bipolar disorder. Prescribing such medication should be dependent upon a thorough clinical examination and a detailed understanding of the history of the patient. Lithium can help reduce manic symptoms and the overall frequency of the cycling, but is also found to be ineffective in a large number of people who take it.

Self-Help

Self-help methods for the treatment of this disorder are often overlooked by the medical profession because very few professionals are involved in them. Many support groups exist within communities throughout the world which are devoted to helping individuals with this disorder share their commons experiences and feelings.