What is Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder: Causes, Symptoms, Signs, Diagnosis

Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder is a disease pertaining to the abrupt disorder of the mood. It is less in severity when compared to the bipolar disorder resembling stage 1 and 2. The mood can change rapidly with the person expressing happiness as well as despair. On one hand the individual may appear to be in command while on the other they would feel down and out. Moreover, some times the patient might appear stable.

The difference between the mood swings in Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder is very small however it should be handled with care. One has to contact the doctor or else the disease of Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder may hamper the regular lifestyle of the person. If left untreated, it can transform into bipolar issues with stage 1 and 2.

Talk therapy or psychotherapy is provided to the patients suffering from the problem of Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder. In addition medicines are administered by the doctors apart from the regular follow ups.

Patients suffering from the disease of Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder will be initially sad and thereafter they will be extremely happy as well excited. The total time duration when the mood is bad tends to be significantly small; therefore people do not visit the doctor however it is a huge mistake. In the absence of treatment, people cannot complete normal tasks.

The frequency of the mood swings would be quite high resulting in lots of problems for the patients. Very few days pass when the symptoms are not manifested in the body.

The mood swings should persist for at least two years so that the symptoms could be identified as belonging to the disease of Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder.

It is not known specifically what causes Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder. As with many mental health disorders, research shows that it may result from a combination many factors. Although, experts have not diagnosed the reasons for occurrence of Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder, some of the usual causes are given below:

• Heredity, genetic causes can lead to Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder.
• Your body’s biochemical processes, alterations in the chemical metabolism of the brain can cause Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder.
• External environment can be a trigger. Stress or possibly instances of trauma may cause Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder.

Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder is identified with the sudden high that occurs with the mood and the lowest of the lows. Patients become extremely happy and ecstatic without any rhyme or reason. Sometimes the signs and symptoms of Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder manifest in the form of depression.

The signs and symptoms of Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder are quite light when compared to that of the bipolar disease belonging to the first and the second stage. People suffering from Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder can carry out normal activities but not with high efficiency. Due to abrupt changes in the mood, an individual continues to lose confidence as he or she is not sure about the behavior.

Some of the hypomanic signs and symptoms of Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder are mentioned as follows:

• Feeling over the top happiness.
• Optimistic to the core.
• Over self-esteem.
• Talkative.
• Suffering from poor decision making.
• Change of thinking.
• Easily irritable.
• Working abnormally hard.
• Overenthusiastic to achieve the objectives.
• Lack of sleep.
• Distracted too easily.
• Lack of concentration.

The low mood in the disease of Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder is signified by following signs and symptoms:

• Feelings of lowness.
• Feeling tearful.
• Children get easily agitated.
• Lack of interest to interact socially.
• Weight changes.
• Guilt feeling and low self-esteem.
• Sleep apnea.
• Feeling of restlessness.
• Weakness in body.
• Poor concentration.
• Suicidal thoughts.

Manifestation of the signs and symptoms should be followed by visit to the doctor. The disease of Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder does not go away without treatment. You can contact friends who would act as the bridge of communication between you and doctor.

If a family member or friend is suffering from the symptoms of Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder; you should consult with him or her in order to get treated by doctor. One cannot compel the individual but assist him or her to find the suitable medical professional.

People suffering from the symptoms of Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder, should contact the physician. He or she will direct you to the psychiatrist who can provide complete diagnosis. Thereafter, a proper treatment strategy is devised in an impeccable manner.

If you are not able to muster the courage to go to the physician on your own, take your friend who could be source of support. He or she may help you with information about the diagnosis process conducted by the doctors.

Prior to appointment, it is necessary to compile the following list

• Note down long term symptoms.
• Information about Physical as well as mental health in detail
• You need to make a list of medicines including the controlled medications along with vitamins as well as supplements.
• Make a list of questions that have to be posted to the doctor.

• Reasons of symptoms?
• Possible other causes?
• Process of diagnosis?
• Mode of treatment of the disease of Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder?
• What are the chances of improvement?
• Will the treatment continue till perpetuity?
• What are the modifications of lifestyle?
• What is the frequency of visits to the doctor?
• What is the probability of contacting other psychological disease?
• List of printed information and the website providing information.

It is important to ask questions.

Suicidal tendencies are visible with patients suffering from Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder however patients suffering from bipolar disorder have greater chances of facing such issues.

• Call 911 or your local emergency services number, or go to a hospital emergency department.
• It is important to contact 911 or the emergency department of the hospital.
• One can contact the hotline number dealing with suicidal problems. If you are living in the US, it is vital to connect with counselor working in relevant department. The IVR prompts the users to press the 1 digit in order to contact the hotline department for veterans, NSPL or National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1800-273-8255.

If call is not possible, it is vital to call the friends or the psychiatric located in the vicinity. Contacting family members could be a wise move.

Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder is rarely diagnosed in people because many times the mood swings are wrongly identified as depression.

It manifests when the children becomes a teen and finally worsens as he or she gains adulthood. Both boys as well as girls are affected by the problem.

People who are suffering from Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder can have the following complications:

• Will face lots of emotional issues when Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder is not treated.
• Patient suffering from the disease of Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder might get affected by the bipolar disorder.
• Abuses of the substances.
• Manifestation of anxiety.

It is the duty of the physician to examine whether the person is suffering from the issue of Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder. Moreover, it also important to find out if the symptoms belonged to the bipolar disease. Some of the tests that have to be done are as follows:

• Physical exam is conducted to diagnose Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder. Lab test or a detailed examination of the patient will provide information about the disease
• Psychological evaluation is recommended for diagnosing Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder. Psychiatrist will play an important role in exploring the thought of the patients. He or she would examine the behavior in detail and also ask the patients about the thought process. Patients might be offered a set of questions to answer so that the specialist is able to diagnose the disease in a correct manner. Family member of the patient may play an important role in providing information about the behavioral pattern of the patient.
• Mood observe charting is made to diagnose Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder. The changes in the mood pattern should be recorded on a daily basis. In addition the time and duration of the sleep should be looked into so that proper treatment strategy is devised.

In order to know the instances of Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder, the relevant authorities have published the following guidelines.

• The person should have the mood swings on a persistent basis for 2 years and extreme ecstasy followed by depression instances must have occurred for 6 months.
• Less than 2 months of stable mood.
• Social and the daily lives are affected by the symptoms.
• Symptoms manifested in the patient does not resemble to that of the bipolar disorder
• Symptoms occurring in the body do not arise due to abuse of the substance.

Also Read:

• Cyclothymia or Cyclothymic Disorder: Treatment, Recovery Period, Prognosis, Coping