Cyclothymia (cyclothymic disorder)

ARTICLE SECTIONS

Definition Symptoms Causes Risk factors When to seek medical advice Tests and diagnosis

Complications Treatments and drugs Prevention Lifestyle and home remedies Coping and support Alternative medicine

Definition

Cyclothymia, also called cyclothymic disorder, is a mild form of bipolar disorder. Like bipolar disorder, cyclothymia is a chronic mood disorder that causes emotional ups and downs.

With cyclothymia, you have short periods of emotional highs when you feel on top of the world, followed by lows that may leave you feeling hopeless and suicidal. And in between these cyclothymic highs and lows, you may have times when your mood is stable and you feel fine.

What sets cyclothymia apart from bipolar disorder is the reduced intensity of the highs and lows. Although these mood swings may bother you immensely, they're very difficult to try to manage on your own. The main treatment options for cyclothymia are medications and psychotherapy. Certain alternative medicine options also may be helpful.

NEXT:

Symptoms