According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), “An estimated 4.4% of U.S. adults experience bipolar disorder at some time in their lives.” Furthermore, there are different types of bipolar disorders: cyclothymic disorder, bipolar I, and bipolar II. The differences between cyclothymic disorder vs. bipolar I and II make it more challenging to identify.
North Atlanta Behavioral Health offers treatment for all types of bipolar disorder as well as several other mental health disorders. Visit our admissions page today to get started.
What Is Cyclothymic Disorder?
Cyclothymic disorder (cyclothymia) is a rare form of bipolar disorder with mixed episodes of hypomania and depression.
Although cyclothymia is a type of bipolar disorder, it is much milder than other types of the disorder. It’s characterized by noticeable up-and-down shifts from your baseline mood.
Everyone has ups and downs in life. Stress and challenging life events can trigger periods of low energy that differ from your baseline mood. Conversely, positive life changes can boost your mood for a period of time.
However, if you have cyclothymic disorder, your mood will shift seemingly out of nowhere. And you’ll only experience a stable, baseline mood for a short time between cycles of low and high moods. These frequent shifts in mood can create significant challenges in your life.
What Are the Symptoms of Cyclothymia?
Symptoms of cyclothymia include hypomanic and depressive symptoms.
People with cyclothymic disorder experience changes in mood that deviate up and down from their baseline. Hypomania occurs during the “ups” whereas depression characterizes the “downs.” Furthermore, you’ll have brief periods of your baseline mood between these episodes.
Hypomanic Symptoms
Hypomanic symptoms of cyclothymia include the following:
- Exaggerated feeling of happiness
- Euphoria
- Restlessness
- Needing less sleep than usual
- Impulsive and reckless behaviors
- Elevated self-esteem
- Agitation and aggression
- More talkative than usual
- Increased motivation and energy
Depressive Symptoms
Depressive symptoms of cyclothymia include the following:
- Fatigue
- Low levels of energy
- Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness
- Trouble concentrating
- Isolating from friends and family
- Loss of interest in activities
- Sleeping more than usual
- Irritability
- Changes in weight
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Cyclothymic Disorder Vs. Bipolar I & II (What Are the Differences?)
There are significant differences between cyclothymic disorder vs. bipolar I and II.
The main differences between cyclothymia and bipolar I & II are the severity of symptoms and the cycles of shifting moods. Mood shifts among those with bipolar I or bipolar II last for days or even weeks.
However, among those with cyclothymia, changes in mood are much more rapid—sometimes going from low to high within a single day.
In addition, mood swings from cyclothymic disorder vs bipolar I and II occur more often. In fact, with cyclothymia, you’ll likely have more days with symptoms than without.
Furthermore, because cyclothymia is milder than other types of bipolar disorder, many people don’t get treatment for their symptoms. Oftentimes, people with this disorder are considered “moody” by others.
By contrast, symptoms of bipolar I and II can be severe, leading to significant mood swings, insomnia, hallucinations, delusions, and suicidality.
In summation, cyclothymic disorder causes subtle but noticeable shifts in mood, resulting in rapid cycles that occur frequently. Conversely, bipolar I & bipolar II disorders cause longer-lasting mood changes with more severe symptoms. However, unlike cyclothymia, people with bipolar I and II have more days at their baseline mood than not.
Dual-Diagnosis Disorders: Cyclothymia & Addiction
Having cyclothymia—or any mental health disorder—puts you at a higher risk of developing a co-occurring substance use disorder (SUD).
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “7.7 million adults have co-occurring mental and substance use disorders.” Mental health disorders and addiction have similar causes and risk factors, which is why these disorders tend to overlap. However, it can be difficult to tell which disorder occurred first.
A person with cyclothymia, for instance, might abuse drugs or alcohol to self-medicate for their mood shifts. On the other hand, long-term substance abuse can alter the way your brain functions—leading to mental health disorders.
If you have cyclothymia with a co-occurring addiction, you need dual-diagnosis treatment to address both disorders at the same time.
How Is Cyclothymic Disorder Treated?
Cyclothymic disorder is treated with psychotherapy, medication, and holistic approaches.
The most effective way to treat cyclothymic disorder is with a comprehensive treatment plan addressing multiple areas of health and well-being. That is why North Atlanta Behavioral Health offers a range of services and outpatient levels of care to meet your treatment needs.
Treatment plans for cyclothymia include the following:
- Psychotherapy: Individual, group, and family therapy are all effective ways of treating cyclothymic disorder. During therapy, you’ll learn healthy ways to cope with stressors and symptoms.
- Medications: Psychiatric prescription drugs help to stabilize your mood when you have cyclothymia. Typically, mood stabilizers work better than antidepressants, even for depressive symptoms of cyclothymia.
- Holistic Approaches: It’s critical to find multiple pathways through holistic approaches to health and well-being. This is because cyclothymia affects your physical, emotional, and spiritual health as well as your mental health.
Cyclothymic Disorder and Bipolar Treatment in Atlanta, GA
Treatment programs for cyclothymic disorder vs bipolar I and II are similar and include comprehensive approaches. If you have cyclothymia or other types of bipolar disorder, we can help you achieve mental health and well-being. North Atlanta Behavioral Health provides outpatient mental health treatment in Atlanta, Georgia.
Contact us today to begin treatment for cyclothymia and bipolar disorder.
