Definition:
Cyclothymic disorder also called as cyclothymia, is a mild form of bipolar disorder; a chronic mood disorder causing emotional ups and downs. The condition is usually characterized by short episodes of emotional highs when feeling on top of the world followed by extremely low feeling that can possibly lead to hopelessness or suicide, if left uncontrolled.
Diagnosis:
Physical exam, laboratory tests, and psychological evaluation are essential in diagnosing cyclothymic disorder.
Treatment:
Medications that can help control cyclothymic disorder include mood stabilizers for mood regulations like Lithium, anti-convulsants to avoid mood swings like valproic acid and anti-psychotic medications like olanzapine.
Psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy and family therapy is an essential part of cyclothymic disorder treatment.
Symptoms and Signs:
Sporadic patterns of emotional highs and lows are the most prominent symptom of cyclothymic disorder. Highs of cyclothymic disorder are manifested by symptoms including remarkable cheerful mood, very high self-esteem, extreme hopefulness, aggressive and risky behavior, increased drive to perform activities and achieve goals, and inability to sleep and concentrate.
Lows of cyclothymic disorder is marked by remarkable depression represented by symptoms including suicidal thoughts, anxiety, sadness, extremely low self-confidence, loss of interest in performing activities, irritability, loss of appetite, and chronic pain with no known cause.
Causes:
The specific cause of cyclothymic disorder is not known but the condition can be a result of combination of contributory factors including genetics, alterations in brain chemistry, and environment.
The information on this site is for research purposes only and can not substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Ailments.com is not run by doctors and does not engage in the practice of medicine. Our site is not a medical authority, it is just a research tool for you to use in preparation for consulting with a doctor. We can not guarantee our information is accurate or up to date. Even if a statement made about a medical condition is accurate, it may not apply to you or your symptoms, so you should always consult a doctor. Nothing on our site should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a medical opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of medicine.
