Cyclothemia
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Cyclotemia is a relatively minor disorder of mood. This disease is characterized by bouts of mild depression and hypomania (a state of high spirits). These attacks never reach the state of acute depression or mania. Cyclotemia is a disease similar to bipolar disorder. Symptoms of cyclothymia are not as intense as in bipolar disorder.
[What causes cyclothymia?
Most scientists believe that cyclothymia is an easy form of bipolar disorder. And none of them can say with certainty what provokes her appearance. Genetic heredity plays an important role in the development of both these diseases. People with cyclothymia are more likely to have a relative with bipolar disorder, and vice versa.
Who is affected by this disease?
About 0.4-1% of the US population suffers from cyclotomy. This disease strikes in equal measure, both men and women. Symptoms usually begin to appear during adolescence or early maturity. Often the onset of this disease is very difficult to recognize.
How is cyclothymia manifested?
With cyclothymia, mood fluctuate between mild depression and hypomania and vice versa. In most people, these attacks are unpredictable and irregular. Both hypomania and depression can last several days or weeks. Between attacks of hypomania or depression, the patient can normally feel, and this condition can last for months - or the attacks of hypomania and depression change so often that the patient does not have periods of normal mood.
In comparison with other mood disorders, the symptoms of this disease are insignificant. Symptoms of depression in cyclothymia will never reach the criteria of acute depression. An upbeat mood, however, will never reach the criteria for the state of mania.
Cyclotemia can erase the facet by which it is possible to determine whether this is a mental illness or simply a manifestation of a character or mood. Some people, whose symptoms are insignificant, can achieve great success in life, as they are in a state of hypomania and under its influence display their talents. But on the other hand, chronic depression and irritability can destroy marriage and career.
How is cyclothymia treated?
Very often cyclothymia remains unrecognized and does not respond to treatment. Most of the symptoms are so insignificant that they do not need treatment. In fact, most people do not even think about treating their state of good or bad mood.
Symptoms of depression in cyclothymia are usually more frequent, unpleasant, and affect performance than the symptoms of hypomania. It is the state of depression or instability and urges the sick to seek help.
Most often, lithium or Depakene is used to treat cyclothymia. Such antidepressants as Prozac, Paxil or Zoloft can cause a manic attack, so the appointment of these drugs should be avoided, unless they are taken in parallel with mood stabilizers.
In other words, if the symptoms of an excited or depressed mood develop into more serious conditions, then the patient no longer has cyclothymia, but bipolar disorder. Such a worsening of the symptoms happens quite often and it is at this point that the patients first turn to the doctor and begin treatment.
Cyclotymia in daily life
Cyclotemia can seriously damage the privacy of sick people. Frequent mood swings very often destroy both personal relationships and career. Such people find it difficult to find their second half, because they are prone to passionate and fast-flowing novels. Impulsive behavior can bring a patient problems with the law or even harm his life.
Patients with cyclothymia are also prone to alcohol and drug abuse. According to statistics, 50% of cyclothymic patients suffer from alcohol or drug dependence.
Over time, such people are at risk of developing bipolar disorder. Some studies say they are more likely to commit suicide. However, treatment with mood stabilizers can reduce this risk.