Cyclothymia Disorder is a chronic bipolar disorder consisting of short periods of mild depression and short periods of hypomania (lasting a few days to a few weeks), separated by short periods of normal mood. Individuals with Cyclothymia (thymia: from the Greek word for the mind) are never free of symptoms of either depression or hypomania for more than two months at a time. In 1980 the classification of Cyclothymia was changed in the DSMV-IV from Personality Disorder to Mood Disorder.

Though the above description portrays Cyclothymia as a mild disorder, it is so only relative to the severity of Bipolar I and Bipolar II disorders. Cyclothymia can completely disrupt the life of an individual and create personal chaos. In their continual oscillation of mood, they never know from one day to the next what to expect.

Incidence of Cyclothymia

Equally common in men and women, cyclothymia affects 0.4 to 1 percent of the population. Most commonly the disorder begins in the teens or early twenties. Eventually approx 30 percent of individuals with cyclothymia experience a full-blown manic episode or major depression, and their diagnosis is changed to Bipolar I or II.

Causes

Genetic factors appear to be causative in Cyclothymia as they do in the Bipolar Disorders. Many of those affected have a family history of major depression, bipolar disorder, suicide or alcohol/drug dependence.

Symptoms

Zig-zagging from periods of elation to gloom
Unable to maintain enthusiasm for new projects due to mood changes
Personal Relationship Problems due to influence of moods causing a constant "pulling close and pushing away" of emotions
Abrupt changes in personality from cheerful, confident and energetic to sad, blue or "mean"
Sleep difficulties are prominent, with affected persons sleeping little during hypomania, and "unable to get out of bed" during depression.
Self medication with alcohol or illegal drugs common.

In a word cyclothymia seems to sabotage a person's opportunity for a stable life.

According to DSMV-IV a diagnosis of Cyclothymia is based on the following:

1. Individual has had many periods of both hypomania and depression, for a period of at least 2 years.

2. Individual has experienced no periods of normal mood lasting longer than two months.

3. Individual has experienced no major depression, manic or mixed episode during the first two years of symptoms

4. Symptoms are not attributable to either Schizophrenia or Psychotic Disorder

5. Symptoms are not due to effects of medication, illicit drugs or medical condition.

6. Individual experiences significant distress or impairment in daily living.

Treatment of Cyclothymia

In some cases individuals may prefer no treatment or supportive psychotherapy alone. Couples or Family therapy is often sought to help with the problems in relationships brought on by the disorder.

In addition, lithium, a mood stabilizer used commonly in the treatment of Bipolar Disorder, has been proven to help a substantial number of people with Cyclothymia.