Cyclothymic Disorder
DefinitionCyclothymic disorder, also called cyclothymia, is a mild form of bipolar disorder, characterized by alternating episodes of mood swings from mild or moderate depression to hypomania. Hypomania is defined as periods of elevated mood, euphoria, and excitement that do not cause the person to become disconnected from reality.
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
The cause of cyclothymic disorder is unknown. Although the changes in mood are irregular and abrupt, the severity of the mood swings is far less extreme than that seen with bipolar disorder (manic depressive illness). Unlike in bipolar disorder, periods of hypomania do not progress into actual mania, in which the person may lose control over his or her behavior and go on spending binges, engage in highly risky sexual or drug-taking behavior and become detached from reality.
Hypomanic periods are energizing and a source of productivity for some people, while these periods cause others to become impulsive and unconcerned about the feelings of others, which can damage relationships. Because hypomania feels good, people with cyclothymia may not want to treat it.
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