Cyclothymic Disorder

About Cyclothymic Disorder

Cyclothymic disorder is a chronic mood condition in the bipolar and related disorders group. It involves numerous periods of hypomanic symptoms and numerous periods of depressive symptoms over at least two years in adults, or one year in young people, without the symptoms ever meeting the full criteria for a hypomanic, manic or major depressive episode. The mood shifts can be unpredictable and may affect relationships, work and self image even though each period is milder than in bipolar I or bipolar II disorder. Onset usually occurs in adolescence or early adulthood, and some people later develop bipolar I or II disorder, so ongoing monitoring is often recommended. The condition is thought to be underdiagnosed because people may regard the changes as personality traits. Management usually involves psychoeducation, psychotherapy aimed at mood monitoring and regular routines, and in some cases medications used for bipolar spectrum conditions.