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Cyclothymia

‘Thymia’ is a Greek word meaning mind. Cyclothymia is a disorder of the mind, a disorder less intense than Bipolar I and Bipolar II but equally disastrous. Men and women both stand a chance of being affected and roughly 30% of the people experiencing cyclothymia might slip into bipolar disorders exhibiting its full blown symptoms but cyclothymia should never be considered the first step towards bipolar disorder. 0.4% to 1% of the population in USA which translates to 2.2 million adults has cyclothymia.

Symptoms:

Mood swings are the main characteristics of this disorder, happiness for some time followed by bouts of depression. Periods of happiness or hypomania are spent pursuing meaningful goals in sleepless nights with heightened self esteem. While depressive periods are spent sleeping with productivity almost nil. Periods of normalcy occur in between which do not last for more than two months. However mood changes are not related to the ups and downs of life. Borderline personality disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are often witnessed in cyclothymiacs.

Effects of cyclothymia

Cyclothymia affects every sphere of life. Relationships are deeply affected for related people find it difficult to handle the mood swings. Career continuity is not possible as days of heightened productivity are followed by long durations of absence from work.

Causes:

Researchers are deeply researching the causes for cyclothymia. Variant genes might trigger proteins that lead to mood disturbances. Other factors such as stressful events in life, family and social environment are being studied. This disorder is not brought about by faulty medicines.

Treatment

Lithium, a mood stabilizer and other anti convulsions used for bipolar depression is used to treat this disease.

Self care

• People under treatment for cyclothymia may feel they are quite normal during periods of happiness and the subsequent period of normalcy. Thinking all is well, many discontinue treatment. But such periods are most important and proper care has to be exercised.
• A timetable has to be maintained of the ups and downs in mood.
• Regular habits like eating food at the same time, exercising, maintaining a routine prevents drastic mood swings.
• Ups and downs in life are common and these might trigger mood swings. People afflicted with cyclothymia must be ever vigilant to deal carefully with such triggers. Family and friends involvement is necessary so that they can identify and warn if such triggers seem to make an appearance.
• Apart from involving friend and family it is always good to join support groups for the emphatic atmosphere they offer.
• The doctor should always be consulted before taking any medicine for some medications might trigger symptoms of cyclothymia.
• It’s unfortunate that often people fail to recognize signs of the disorder. An overwhelming urge to hurt yourself then the emergency room in a clinic should be the first place to go.