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Cyclothymic Disorder

A milder yet more enduring type of bipolar disorder. For at least two years a person will have experienced many periods of hypomanic symptoms (but not quite a manic episode), alternating with many periods of depressive symptoms (but not quite a major depressive episode). Essentially, a person's mood alternates between a less severe mania (known as hypomania) and a less severe depression.

Cyclothymia appears to affect equal numbers of men and women. It typically begins when a person is an adolescent or young adult and the condition tends to be chronic. There is a risk of 15%-50% that a person with cyclothymia will eventually develop bipolar disorder.

Diagnosis of Cyclothymic Disorder

Summarized from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders- Fourth Edition, Text Revision

A. A person has experienced many periods of depressive symptoms (not a full depressive episode), and periods of hypomanic symptoms for a minimum of two years. For children and adolescents, the time frame is a minimum of one year.

B. The person has not been free of the hypomanic or depressive symptoms for more than two months at a time.

C. Throughout the first two years of the illness the person has not had a manic, mixed, or major depressive episode.

D. Another disorder does not better explain the episode.

E. The person's symptoms are not caused by substance use (e.g., alcohol, drugs, medication), or a medical disorder.

F. The symptoms are a cause of great distress or difficulty in functioning at home, work, or other important areas.

Do You Experience Mood Swings?

The Cyclothymia Workbook: Learn How to Manage Your Mood Swings and Lead a Balanced Life

By Prentiss Price, Ph.D.

Dr. P's The Cyclothymia Workbook is the first book to address this lesser known form of bipolar disorder. The workbook offers the latest information about cyclothymia, what causes it, and how it is diagnosed and treated. Dozens of self-guided exercises help you learn to manage your mood swings and develop strategies for coping with this condition.

The Cyclothymia Workbook can help you to...

Manage your mood swings
Learn the difference between bipolar disorder and cyclothymia
Recognize the symptoms
Track and manage your cycles
Discover and diffuse your triggers
Gain support from family and friends
Learn techniques that can change your life

Visit www.CyclothymiaWorkbook.com for more information about cyclothymia, the workbook, and to download free worksheets of some of the exercises.

This web site is for information and support only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional treatment or advice.

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