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Cyclothymia is a mild mood disorder characterized by brief periods of mild depression and hypomania. It can be managed with cognitive behavioral therapy or low-dose mood stabilizers. There is a genetic link and it can progress to bipolar disorder. It affects about 1% of the population and is more common in women.
Cyclothymia is a mood disorder that is at the low end of the spectrum of more aggressive mood disorders such as bipolar I and II. Cyclothymia is characterized by brief periods of mild depression and hypomania. In many cases, hypomania manifests itself as feeling particularly good or euphoric, so it can simply be thought of as being in a “high mood.” These cycles can then be followed by several months of “normal” mood.
Many who have cyclothymia do not seek treatment as the periods of depression and hypomania are brief. Yet some are disturbed by these slight swings and will seek treatment from a mental health professional. If at any point during the mood swings a patient actually becomes manic, rather than hypomanic, the condition is rediagnosed as bipolar disorder. Also, if the bout of depression persists for more than two months, a diagnosis of bipolar disorder or major depression may be given.
Some people find cyclothymia a livable condition, and when the condition doesn’t progress to more severe symptoms, it can be managed with cognitive behavioral therapy. For others, the mood swing occurs so frequently that people will seek out medications. People can take low-dose mood stabilizers and occasionally an antidepressant to help deal with the persistent cycle.
There is clearly a genetic link in cyclothymia, although the actual genes that may affect mood have not been identified. However, twin studies show a high rate of the condition in both twins, even when the twins are fraternal. This suggests that cyclothymia can be inherited from one or both parents.
Cyclothymia can be present in early adulthood, or even earlier. However, it is more difficult to diagnose in adolescence because adolescent moods already tend to be destabilized by the hormonal flux. However, people may look back on childhood and notice patterns of activity and nonactivity, which could suggest early cyclothymia.
Some people with cyclothymia will progress to bipolar I or II, but many never do. It is unclear what factors indicate this progression. It is possible that external factors such as trauma or post-traumatic stress could push a person with cyclothymia into a bipolar II state.
The incidence of the event tends to be similar in both men and women. Women are more likely to seek treatment. About 1% of the population may be prone to cyclothymia. This fact alone is interesting, as most know one or two people who could be characterized as “moody”. It is possible, given the tolerance for someone considered to be moody, for cyclothymia to occur at a higher rate than is currently diagnosed.
