A rare mood disorder that causes emotional swings (also known as ups and downs) is called cyclothymia. The symptoms are not as severe as those in bipolar I or II disorders. People with this condition may notice how their mood shifts up and down from their baseline. Sometimes, they may feel that they are on top of the world for a time, followed by a down period. Generally, people feel fine and stable between highs and lows.
While the symptoms and less severe than those of bipolar disorder, you should seek medical help because the symptoms may interfere with your daily activities and ability to function. Moreover, cyclothymia may increase the risk of bipolar disorder.
Usually, treatment for cyclothymia includes talk therapy (also called psychotherapy) and medicines.
Symptoms
The symptoms that appear in highs are called hypomanic symptoms, and those that happen in lows are called depressive symptoms. While the symptoms caused by cyclothymia are very similar to those of bipolar disorder, they are less severe. People with this mood disorder may not have problems with function in daily life. Check below some symptoms:
Hypomanic Symptoms
These include:
- Euphoria (exaggerated feeling of well-being or happiness)
- Extreme optimism or inflated self-esteem
- People with cyclothymia may talk more than usual
- Irritability
- Agitation
- Racing thoughts
- Poor judgment
- Risky behavior
- Excessive physical activity
- Reduced need for sleep
- Difficulty focusing and concentrating
- Elevated drive to perform or achieve goals (such as sexual, social, or work-related)
- Easily distracted
Depressive Symptoms
Check below some symptoms of the lows of this mood disorder:
- Tearfulness
- Sleeping disturbances (insomnia)
- Restlessness
- A feeling of guilt or worthlessness
- Extreme tiredness
- Suicidal thoughts
- Weight changes
- Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
- Irritability
- Feelings of hopelessness, sadness, or emptiness
Immediately contact your healthcare professional if you experience any of the previous symptoms. In most cases, the symptoms do not improve on their own, which may interfere with your daily routine.
Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 in the U.S. if you or a loved one experiences suicidal thoughts or behavior.
Causes
Generally, it is not known what exactly causes cyclothymia. Experts think that a combination of factors causes the disorder, like other mental disorders. These include:
- Genetics – Some studies have shown that cyclothymia tends to run in families.
- Changes in the brain’s neurobiology – Certain differences in how the brain works may also contribute to cyclothymia.
- Environmental problems – These include traumatic events, continuous emotional distress, abuse, and others.
Risk Factors
A factor that increases the risk of developing cyclothymia is a family history of the disorder.
Generally, experts think cyclothymia happens rarely. However, it is difficult to estimate the exact number because most people with undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as having other mood disorders (such as depression).
Commonly, this condition begins during teenage years or young adulthood. Moreover, it negatively affects both men and women.
What Happens if Cyclothymia is Left Untreated?
People who do not get treatment for this mood disorder may experience some complications. For example:
- Significant emotional problems that negatively affect roughly all aspects of your life
- An increased risk of later developing bipolar I or II disorder
- Substance misuse
- Anxiety disorders
- Higher risk of suicidal thoughts and suicide
How to Prevent Cyclothymia?
In general, it is not possible to prevent this mood disorder, and the only way to prevent worsening of the disease is early detection and proper treatment. Early treatment may also reduce the risk of symptoms and prevent hypomania, mania, or major depression.
Diagnosis
First, doctors will determine what exactly causes your symptoms. The symptoms caused by this mood disorder are similar to other mental disorders, including bipolar disorder, depression, and others. Check below some tests used to determine the exact cause of symptoms:
- A physical examination – This involves lab tests and questions about the symptoms to rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms.
- Psychological evaluation – During this examination, doctors will ask some questions about your thoughts, feelings, and behavior patterns.
- Mood charting – Healthcare professionals may keep a daily record of moods, sleep patterns, and other factors that may help diagnose the condition.
What Are The Diagnostic Criteria for Cyclothymia?
Usually, to diagnose this condition, doctors use the criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Check below some points that indicate cyclothymia:
- Multiple episodes of elevated mood (hypomanic symptoms) and depressive symptoms for at least 2 years.
- The symptoms impact your ability to function socially, at work, at school, or in other important areas.
- The criteria for major depression, bipolar disorder, or another mental health problem do not meet your symptoms.
- A person experiences symptoms due to substance misuse or other medical conditions.
- Stable moods that often last less than 60 days.
Treatment
This mood disorder usually requires lifelong treatment even between episodes. Commonly, doctors work to treat the following problems in people with cyclothymia. Examples include:
- Decrease the risk of bipolar I or II disorder – Cyclothymia is linked with an increased risk of bipolar disorder.
- Decrease the severity and frequency of the symptoms
- Prevent recurrent symptoms during periods of remission
- Treat substance misuse
The primary treatments for people with cyclothymia are talk therapy and medications.
Medicines
There are no medicines approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for this mood disorder. However, physicians may prescribe some medicines used to treat bipolar disorder to control the symptoms and prevent complications.
Psychotherapy
This treatment is also known as talk therapy, and it involves several therapies. For example:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) – This is the most common treatment used in people with cyclothymia. It helps determine unhealthy and negative beliefs and behaviors, and can replace them with positive ones. This treatment option may also identify the triggers and certain techniques that may help cope with stress and upsetting situations.
- Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) – This type of talk therapy focuses on the stabilization of sleeping, waking, and mealtimes.
- Other therapies – There are other therapies that have been studied and have shown some evidence of success. For more details, discuss it with your physician.
Home Remedies and Lifestyle Changes
The following tips may help control the symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. For example:
- Follow the treatment exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Otherwise, it may lead to unpleasant results such as the recurrence of the symptoms.
- Identify triggers – It is advised to determine what causes the symptoms and avoid them.
- Quit smoking, drinking, or using recreational drugs – If you facing problems with smoking cessation, discuss it with your healthcare professional.
- Never administer other medicines without your doctor’s approval because they may interact with the drugs you are taking and cause certain severe symptoms.
- Regularly perform physical exercises – It is advised to aim for at least 30 minutes of physical exercise per day.
- Healthy sleep
Frequently Asked Questions
How does cyclothymia feel?
When the disease occurs, a person feels that their mood noticeably shifts up and down from him/her baseline. Do not ignore these symptoms and seek medical help right away.
Can antidepressants help cyclothymia?
Generally, the use of antidepressants or antipsychotics should help with depressive, anxious, or hypomanic symptoms. However, never take any medicines without your doctor’s approval because it may lead to unpleasant outcomes.
Can cyclothymia go away?
While there is no way to cure the condition, proper treatment can improve the symptoms and your quality of life. Unfortunately, people with cyclothymia often require lifelong treatment even in remission periods. If you have additional questions, ask your healthcare provider.
