Cyclothymia can disrupt a person’s normal daily functioning and can increase the risk of developing bipolar disorder. Treatment is typically necessary to help individuals with this disorder learn to manage it successfully long-term. Here is some information from Pathways Real Life Recovery, a top Utah cyclothymia treatment provider. This overview of the cyclothymic disorder, its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment, can potentially help you avoid complications that can arise from lack of treatment for this condition.
Pathways effective and evidence-based therapy for Cyclothymia Disorder Treatment can help you live a stress-free happy life
What Is Cyclothymia?
Cyclothymia is a mood disorder. The rare condition causes the victim to suffer shifting moods between emotional highs and lows. These symptoms of cyclothymic disorder are not as severe as in bipolar disorders (either I or II). Between the episodes of up and down moods, the individual operates at a normal emotional baseline.
Symptoms of Cyclothymic Disorder
Cyclothymia symptoms are similar to but less extreme than bipolar disorder. People with cyclothymic disorder typically are able to function in their day-to-day lives, but often not very effectively. Unexpected mood shifts can disrupt their lives and make everyday routines too difficult to maintain consistently.
Symptoms of Cyclothymic Low Periods:
- Euphoric, extreme happiness
- Extremely high energy
- Extremely high optimism
- An exaggerated sense of wellness
- Unusual talkativeness
- Excessively physically active
- Impaired judgment, poor choices
- Excessive self-esteem
- High-risk behavior
- Racing through thoughts and topics
- Reduced need to sleep
- Increased drive toward work or social goals
- Poor concentration
- Easily distracted
Symptoms of Cyclothymic Low Periods:
- Feelings of sadness, emptiness, despair
- Symptoms of depression
- Frequently tearful
- Lethargy, fatigue
- Loss of interest in favorite activities
- Irritable, agitated
- Sense of guilt
- Sense of worthlessness
- Weight changes
- Difficulty sleeping
- Restlessness
- Difficulty focusing
- Thoughts of suicide
What Causes Cyclothymia?
The cause(s) of cyclothymic disorder is unclear. As in the case of numerous other mental health conditions, research to date indicates that the disorder may be due to combined factors, such as:
- Genetic component: Cyclothymic disorder has a tendency to run in families.
- Neurological discrepancies: The brain has differences from those without the disorder.
- Environmental component: Victims may have a history of prolonged stress or traumas.
Complications from Cyclothymia
People suffering from cyclothymic disorder are at high risk of complications due to misdiagnosis, failure to obtain treatment, or insufficient treatment:
- Lack of treatment can lead to potentially debilitating emotional problems
- High risk of eventually developing bipolar disorder (I or II)
- Substance abuse or addiction
- Developing anxiety disorder as a co-occurring condition
- Thoughts of suicide, suicide
Cyclothymia Diagnosis and Treatment
Your doctor or specialist can diagnose cyclothymia, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, depression, or other mental health conditions. Your health care provider can determine whether you are struggling with rapid cycling cyclothymia or co-occurring disorders and whether you could benefit from inpatient treatment for cyclothymia. Your treatment provider can also help you identify potential cyclothymia triggers that may be leading to recurrences of your symptoms.
Diagnosing cyclothymic disorder may require a physical examination, medical tests, and lab tests. It will require a psychological evaluation, possibly mood charting, and tracking your sleep patterns, among other diagnostics processes.
If you have been diagnosed with cyclothymia, you should pursue remedial medical care. The current options for treatment of cyclothymia include:
- Talk therapy – psychotherapy
- Frequent follow-ups with a physician
- Medications for help in mood stabilization
Cyclothymia Treatment at Pathways Real Life Recovery
Pathways mental health specialists focus on healing the whole person. You will have some of Utah’s best therapists in the field working with you to help you overcome symptoms of the disorder and go on to live a much happier and more stable life beyond treatment.