» Conditions » Bipolar Disorder » Cyclothymia
What is Cyclothymia?
Cyclothymia is a chronic bipolar disorder characterized by short periods of mild depression and short periods of hypomania, separated by short periods of normal mood. Those who suffer from this disorder are never free of the symptoms of depression or of hypomania for more than two months at a time. Cyclothymia is equally common in men and women and affects up to 1% of the population. The disorder usually begins in the teen years or early adulthood. If left untreated, approximately 30% of those with cyclothymia eventually experience a full-blown manic episode and their diagnosis is changed to Bipolar I or Bipolar.
While a person with cyclothymia is not likely to end up in the hospital, the intense mood swings can seriously disrupt one's life. Imagine feeling on top of the world, ready to take on any project one day, just to wake up the next morning feeling down, depressed and blue. This is what it's like living with cyclothymia.
Symptoms
For cyclothymia to be diagnosed, hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms must be present alternately for at least two years. Mood swings seem to occur frequently in people with cyclothymia -- the switch from depression to hypomania and back again may occur every few days or weeks-- even every few hours in extreme cases! Mood swings are consistent; a person with cyclothymia is never symptom-free for longer than two months.
Causes of Cyclothymia
Despite extensive investigation, the exact cause of cyclothymia is still not known. Some researchers have suggested that the cycles of moods are brought on by a viral infection, but there is yet to be any conclusive support for this theory. Others have suggested that the symptoms are triggered by stressful events in one's life.
The most popular theory argues that cyclothymia is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. The brain is made up of nerve cells, called neurons, and chemicals, called neurotransmitters. According to this theory, an imbalance of one neurotransmitter, norepinephrine, is thought to cause the symptoms of bipolar disorder. It seems there are unusually high levels of norepinephrine in a person's brain during manic episodes, and low levels during depressive episodes.
Family history is another factor when determining the cause for cyclothymia. While those who have biological family members with cyclothymia are at risk of getting the disorder, it does not mean they will get it.
Treating Cyclothymia
There are therapists who are especially skilled at helping people who are suffering from cyclothymia. People with the disorder benefit significantly from therapy that focuses on interpersonal relationships and self-image.
Mild cases of cyclothymia are often treated with therapy alone. For more severe cases involving periods of intense hypomania, Lithium can help alleviate the symptoms and reduce the frequency of most cycles. Antidepressants are another treatment option, but if a person has depression severe enough to need medication therapy, they probably will be diagnosed with bipolar disorder, not cyclothymia.
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