The main feature of cyclothymic disorder is a chronic and fluctuating mood swing. We all know someone who, speaking colloquially, frequently changes their mood, moving from sadness to joy in a matter of days.
Well, these people may have a cyclothymic disorder, but not necessarily, of course. The mood of a person with cyclothymic disorder fluctuates between states of “happiness,” exaggerated and depressive states. In other words, there is a marked change in mood that most people would not consider “normal. “
- It is important to know how to differentiate between cyclothymic disorder and bipolar disorder Bipolar disorder is more severe because its symptoms are more severe In cyclothymic disorder.
- The criteria for a major depressive.
- Manic.
- Or hypomanic episode are never met.
- According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders (DSM-V).
According to the DSM-V, the diagnostic criteria are
Note: In children and adolescents, the duration should be at least 1 year.
Note: After the first 2 years of cyclothymic disorder (1 year in children and adolescents), there may be manic or mixed episodes juxtaposed with a cyclothymic disorder (in which case both cyclothymic and bipolar I) or major depressive episodes are diagnosed (in which case both cyclotymic and bipolar II disorders are diagnosed).
As we have already said, cyclothymic disorder implies a chronic and fluctuating mood change, causing countless periods of hypomaniacal symptoms and periods of depressive symptoms, differentiated between them. Hypomania is a term that defines exalted moods that are not manic, but cause mild irritation and compulsive attitudes.
Symptoms of hypomania mostly go unnoticed, first because the patient himself feels stable (he even believes he has a “big day” and is “in possession of reason” with others) and second, because this does not always cause a significant deterioration in his work, family or social environment.
Contributing to the difficulty of detection, hypomania is sometimes confused with a simple “joy” or mild punctual hyperactivity. Mania, on the other hand, is defined as the opposite of depression: the patient looks euphoric and exalted, with an exaggerated mood.
In addition, in cyclothymic disorder, depressive symptoms are insufficient in number, severity, generalization, or duration to meet the criteria of a major depressive episode. Diagnosis of cyclothymic disorder is only made if the criteria for a major, manic or hypomaniacal depressive episode are unfulested This is very important because it is what sets it apart from bipolar disorder.
Cyclothymic disorder usually begins in adolescence or early adulthood; sometimes this reflects a whimsical predisposition to other bipolar disorders; the onset of cyclothymic disorder is usually gradual and its evolution is persistent; there is a 15-50% risk that a patient with cyclothymic disorder will develop a cyclothymic disorder. It subsequently develops bipolar disorder.
If hypomaniacal or depressive symptoms occur at the end of adulthood, before diagnosis of cyclothymic disorder, it will be necessary to clearly distinguish it from bipolar disorder and disorders associated with another medical condition (e. g. multiple sclerosis).
In children with cyclothymic disorders, the mean age of onset is 6. 5 years. As we have seen, cyclothymic disorder is something of the little brother of bipolar disorder. There is a marked change in mood, which is not considered normal, but which is not as drastic as in bipolar disorder.
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