How to Recognize Cyclothymic Disorder

Cyclothymic disorder is defined as a mild form of bipolar disorder. Symptoms are similar, but less severe than full-blown bipolar disorder. Learn the symptoms so that you can recognize cyclothymic disorder in a loved one and get them the help they need.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Learn that cyclothymic disorder is characterized by frequent, mild mood swings, from depression to hypomania. Depressed mood swings include symptoms such as sadness, fatigue, feeling worthless and guilt. Symptoms of hypomania include loud and fast speech, risky behavior, overeating and irritability.

2. Appreciate that while symptoms are mild, they are chronic and sometimes sufferers feel as if they are never completely free from symptoms. Symptoms frequently interfere with a person's ability to function in social and business settings. The impulsiveness that characterizes the hypomania mood swing can also cause the person to lose interest in the feelings of others, so relationships suffer.

3. Know that the big difference between cyclothymic disorder and bipolar disorder is that the person with cyclothymic disorder doesn't become disconnected from reality like someone with bipolar disorder does. Cyclothymic disorder is diagnosed when patients report that symptoms have lasted for more than 2 years, never experiencing more than 2 consecutive symptom-free months.

4. Realize that more women than men suffer from cyclothymic disorder. Symptoms of cyclothymic disorder are usually recognized and diagnosed in early adulthood. Symptoms can be controlled with medication, and psychotherapy is helpful in managing the stress the disorder causes.

5. Understand that patients may not want to receive treatment when they are in a state of hypomania, because they feel energetic and cheerful. Not recognizing cyclothymic disorder symptoms or ignoring the disorder can lead to bipolar disorder, so getting and following a treatment program is vital.

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[luxlumen]

on 11/19/2009 God's grace would have never allowed you to get this condition in the first place. Better yet, God's grace would have not allowed you to be in the dark about this condition for 40 years. Where was he all this time? I share in this condition, but since I am free from attempting to connect a deity to everything that does or does not happen, I can now deal with the condition on my own. I recommend taking a hard look at the illogical nature of believing in a god. This is true freedom.

[esimpson]

on 10/23/2008 I am just finding out at 58 years old that I have this disorder. I have been operating in two worlds most of my life. Yet, without doubt, I need help and I am getting it. It was truly by God's grace that I found this out and it has really brought my life into perspective. I am quite sensitive as to how I approach situations that envelope my life. I question what part of me is responding: the true self or the cyclothymic self. It is good to be in control of your life. I lost family and friends in this process. lease get help if you know something in you just ain't the way it use to be. Forty years is a long time to be off the chain.