Cyclothymia & Bipolar Disorder

Cyclothymia and bipolar disorder are mental health conditions that are chronic but treatable. The clinical profiles of the conditions are similar, but their severity and the way they impact functioning differ. A thorough evaluation by a mental health professional is necessary to determine the differences and make an accurate diagnosis.

Bipolar disorder is characterized by a single severe manic episode or severe signs of both mania and depression over a period of months. Cyclothymia is characterized by symptoms that look like mania or depression, and that are significant over a period of years, but are not severe enough to warrant the diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

Bipolar Disorder

• Bipolar disorder is a condition diagnosed when symptoms of severe depression and/or mania are present. Individuals with bipolar disorder will experience severe mood symptoms and behavioral disturbances that may require medication and/or hospitalization due to the level of severity.

Manic Episode

• People experiencing a manic episode will have symptoms such as abnormally high energy level and self-esteem, little to no sleep, restlessness, irritability, increased talking and involvement in pleasurable activities that may result in severe consequences. These activities may take the form of risky sexual activity, gambling or extreme shopping sprees.

Major Depressive Episode

• People experiencing a major depressive episode will report feeling sad every day for a period of time. They may also lose pleasure in enjoyable activities, feel little energy, gain or lose noticeable weight, sleep too little or too much, and experience changes in appetite. Suicidal thoughts or preoccupation with death or dying may accompany the episode.

Cyclothymia

• Cyclothymia appears like bipolar disorder, but the symptoms and episodes of mood highs and lows are not severe enough to be classified as manic or depressive episodes. Those with cyclothymia experience mood symptoms that are described as hypomanic, and to make a diagnosis, a doctor must observe a pattern over a period of two years .

Hypomanic Episode

• People experiencing a hypomanic episode have mania-like symptoms such as abnormally high energy level and self-esteem, changes in sleep patterns, restlessness, irritability and an increase in talking and other activity. Although the symptoms are similar to mania, there is a distinct difference in the severity of the behavior that may accompany the mood disturbance.

Evaluation and Treatment

• A trained mental health professional will be able to do a comprehensive evaluation to differentiate between the symptoms of cyclothymia and bipolar disorder based on a patient's history and clinical evaluation. Treatment may include counseling, medication and/or inpatient care, depending on the severity of the symptoms.