Cyclothymia

Cyclothymia is a kind of Mental Depression, characterized by hypomania (form of mania) alternating with mild bouts of depression. Cyclothymia is a mood disorder in which the patient displays the characteristic ups and downs (depressions and euphorias) of Bipolar Disorder, to a much lower extent, to the point of not qualifying for a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder.
There is a risk of 20% that a person with cyclothymia will eventually develop bipolar disorder. with bipolar disorder, these peaks and valleys are more severe. it can hurt job & school performance cyclothymia is a known risk factor for developing bipolar disorder. However, little is known about what factors determine which people with cyclothymia will develop bipolar disorder, or about the mechanisms involved in the change from cyclothymia to the more severe illness. Findings from the study will help clarify the role of various psychosocial factors in the course of cyclothymia and in the initial onset and subsequent course of full-blown bipolar disorder; help explain the relationship between unipolar major depression and the depressive phases of bipolar disorder; and suggest new methods for treating and preventing bipolar disorder. Know more on Bipolar Disorder and Cyclothymia.
For cyclothymia to be diagnosed, hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms must be present alternately for at least two years. Mood swings seem to occur frequently in people with cyclothymia -- the switch from depression to hypomania and back again may occur every few days or weeks -- even every few hours in extreme cases! Mood swings are consistent; a person with cyclothymia is never symptom-free for longer than two months.
The causative factors are the genetic factors. Many of the affected persons have a family history of major depression, suicide or alcohol/drug dependencies.
Cyclothymic disorder treatment - What are the Treatment for Cyclothymia?
There is no clear treatment of choice for this disorder. Cyclothymia is treated similarly to bipolar disorder. A combination of antimanic drugs, antidepressants, or psychotherapy can effectively treat this condition in many cases.