A mood disorder characterized by alternating episodes of depression and elation in a form less severe than that of bipolar disorder.
Characterized by the presence of numerous periods with hypomanic symptoms NOT meeting criteria of a hypomanic episode and others of depressive symptoms NOT meeting criteria for a Major Depressive Episode.
For at least 2 years in adults or 1 year in children or adolescents during which the person was never symptom free for more than 2 months.
NO criteria for Major Depressive, Manic or Mixed Episode have been met.
Causes clinically significant distress.
Many people with this diagnosis also experience high levels of anxiety. If this happens, your healthcare provider may add the clinical specifier “with anxious distress” when making a diagnosis of cyclothymic disorder.
This condition isn’t common, with a lifetime prevalence of 0.4-1% In the general population, cyclothymic disorder seems to be equally common in males and females. However, females may be more likely to seek treatment. Cyclothymic disorder symptoms usually start to appear in adolescence or early adult life.
Cyclothymic disorder is a manageable condition. Everyone is different, so it may take some time to find the treatment and coping methods that work best. According to the DSM-5, there is a 15% to 50% risk that a person with cyclothymic disorder will go on to develop bipolar I disorder or bipolar II disorder. There is a genetic component to this condition. Having close family with bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder is linked with cyclothymic disorder.
Antidepressants (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors, Tricyclic, SSRI, SNRI, Atypical)
Mood Stabilizers (Lithium, Anticonvulsants)
Antipsychotics.
Where possible, you can often manage your risk factors to help maintain a more stable mood. This might include:
These can all help boost your mental health and keep your mood stable.