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Cyclothymic Disorder - Cyclothymic Disorder Symptom, Cause, Treatment
Cyclothymia is a mood disorder in which the client displays the characteristic ups and downs (depressions and euphorias) of Bipolar Disorder, to a much lower extent, and does not qualify for a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. Cyclothymic disorder, also called cyclothymia, is a mild form of bipolar disorder, characterized by alternating episodes of mood swings from mild or moderate depression to hypomania. Hypomania is defined as periods of elevated mood, euphoria, and excitement that do not cause the person to become disconnected from reality.
Symptoms of Cyclothymic Disorder
The symptoms are includes the following
- Alternating episodes of hypomania and mild depression lasting for at least 2 years
- Persistent symptoms (less than 2 consecutive symptom-free months)
- Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
- Decreased need for sleep (e.g., feels rested after only 3 hours of sleep
- Flight of ideas, or subjective experience that thoughts are racin
- Increase in goal-directed activity (either socially, at work or school, or sexually) or psychomotor agitation
- Excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (e.g., engaging in unrestrained buying sprees, sexual indiscretions, or foolish business investments)
- More talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking
Causes of Cyclothymic Disorder
The causes are are
- Hypomanic periods are energizing and a source of productivity for some people, while these periods cause others to become impulsive and unconcerned about the feelings of others, which can damage relationships.
- Symptoms present fro at least 2 years, the patient has had periods of hypomanic symptoms and periods of low mood that don't fulfill the criteria for Major Depressive Disorder.
- The longest period the patient has been free of mood swings is 2 months.
- During the first 2 years of this disorder, the patient has not fulfilled criteria for Manic , Mied, or Major Depressive Episode.
- Chizoaffective disorder doesn't explain the disorder better, and it isn't superimposed on Schizophrenia , Schizophreniform Disorder , Delusional Disorder or Psychotic Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.
- The symptoms are not directly caused by a general medical condition or the use of any substances , including prescription medications.
- These symptoms cause the patient clinically important distress or impair work, social or personal functioning.
Treatment of Cyclothymic Disorder
Cyclothymia is treated similarly to bipolar disorder. A combination of antimanic drugs, antidepressants, or psychotherapy can effectively treat this condition in many cases. Either psychotherapy or medication can be tried first, or in conjunction with one another. Medication and therapy are the best option of the bipolar Cyclothymic Disorder treatment. There is no clear treatment of choice for this disorder. In some cases individuals may prefer no treatment or supportive psychotherapy alone. Lithium, a mood stabilizer used commonly in the treatment of Bipolar Disorder , has been proven to help a substantial number of people with Cyclothymia .
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