Cyclothymia
| Cyclothymia | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Psychiatry, clinical psychology  |
Cyclothymia is a serious mood and mental disorder that causes both hypomanic and depressive episodes. It is defined medically within the bipolar spectrum and consists of recurrent disturbances between sudden hypomania and dysthymic episodes. The diagnosis of cyclothymic disorder is not made when there is a history of mania or major depressive episode or mixed episode. The lifetime pre-eminence of cyclothymic disorder is 0.4-1%. The rate appears equal in men and women, though women more often seek treatment. Unlike some other forms of bipolar disorder (to be specific, bipolar I disorder), people with cyclothymia are almost always fully functioning, sometimes even hyper-productive.
Cyclothymia is similar to bipolar II disorder in that it presents itself in signature hypomanic episodes. Because hypomania is often associated with exceptionally creative, outgoing, and high-functioning behavior, both conditions are often undiagnosed. As with most of the disorders in the bipolar spectrum, it is the depressive phase that leads most sufferers to get help. The term derives from the Greek κύκλος (kuklos), "circle"[1] + θυμός (thumos), "temper".[2]
Differential diagnosis
This disorder is common in the relatives of patients with bipolar disorder, and some individuals with cyclothymia eventually develop bipolar disorder themselves. It may persist throughout adult life, cease temporarily or permanently, or develop into more severe mood swings, meeting the criteria for bipolar disorder or recurrent depressive disorder in rare cases.
Symptoms
Dysthymic phase
Symptoms of the dysthymic phase include difficulty making decisions, problems concentrating, poor memory recall, guilt, self-criticism, low self-esteem, pessimism, self-destructive thinking, continuously feeling sad, apathy, hopelessness, helplessness, irritability, quick temper, lack of motivation, social withdrawal, appetite change, lack of sexual desire, self-neglect, fatigue, and insomnia.[3]
Euphoric phase
Symptoms of the euphoric phase include unusually good mood or cheerfulness (euphoria), extreme optimism, inflated self-esteem, poor judgment, rapid speech, racing thoughts, aggressive or hostile behavior, being inconsiderate of others, agitation, massively increased physical activity, risky behavior, spending sprees, increased drive to perform or achieve goals, increased sexual drive, decreased need for sleep, tendency to be easily distracted, and inability to concentrate.[4]
Causes
Biological
- Family
- One is 2-3 times more likely to have the disorder if someone in the immediate family has it or if an identical twin has it. In a study by Bertelsen, Harvard, and Huage (1977), if an identical twin had depression, 59% of the identical twins had it also.
- Gender
- Heritability for women ranges from 36-44% and 18-24% for men. [citation needed]
- Genes
- The same genes may contribute to depression and anxiety. [citation needed]
- Serotonin
- Serotonin regulates other hormones like norepinephrine and dopamine, so, when serotonin is low, the other chemicals may fluctuate, causing irritability, impulsivity, and mood irregularities such as dysthymia and depression. [citation needed]
- Cortisol
- Depressed individuals can have high cortisol levels. Cortisol is a stress hormone, and mood disorders often occur during stressful points in one’s life. Elevated stress hormones can affect functioning of the hippocampus, an important centre for memory and cognitive processes. Overproducing cortisol can also impair the brain’s ability to regenerate neurons in the hippocampus. [citation needed]
Psychological
- Stressful events, as perceived by the individual
- Relationship failure, job loss, identity change, natural disaster, learned helplessness and hopelessness, extreme feelings, negative thinking patterns.
Social
- Environment
- Influences the disorder 60-80% of the time.
- Parenting styles[5]
Treatment
Exercise
It has been repeatedly demonstrated that regular, vigorous physical exercise can help with mood regulation and emotional stability.[citation needed]
Medications
- Mood Stabilizers, Lithium being the gold standard, but also Depakote, (e.g., valproic acid, divalproex,Tegretol, Abilify, Topamax and lamotrigine.
Therapy
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Interpersonal psychotherapy (IT)
- Group therapy
- Integrative therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
Famous sufferers
See also
References
- ^ κύκλος, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, on Perseus
- ^ θυμός, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, on Perseus
- ^ "Dysthymic disorder and chronic depression". Psychologyinfo.com. Retrieved 2010-11-18.
- ^ "Cyclothymia (cyclothymic disorder): Symptoms". MayoClinic.com. Retrieved 2010-11-18.
- ^ "Abnormal Psychology: An Integrative Approach" 4th ed. David Barlow and Mark Durand, 2005
- ^ Fry, Stephen, 'The Fry chronicles: an autobiography' (Michael Joseph 2010) p.224
- ^ McKay, E. N, 'Franz Schubert: a Biography' (Clarendon Press, Oxford 1996) pp. 138-63
External links
- Cyclothymia Symptoms from CounsellingResource.com
- Cyclothymia from Psycom.net
- Cyclothymia from McmanWeb
- What Is Cyclothymia? from Mental Health Matters
- Mental Health Matters: Cyclothymia from Mental Health Matters
- Cyclothymia Workbook from All About Depression (Commercial Link)