Cyclothymia - Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Cyclothymic disorder is a milder cousin of bipolar disorder and chronic mood disorder. People with cyclothymia also experience intermittent periods of emotional and behavioral stability. A single episode of hypomania is sufficient to diagnose cyclothymic disorder; however, most individuals also have dysthymic periods. This disorder is common in the relatives of patients with bipolar affective disorder and some individuals with cyclothymia eventually develop bipolar affective disorder themselves. It may persist throughout adult life, cease temporarily or permanently, or develop into more severe mood swings meeting the criteria for bipolar affective disorder or recurrent depressive disorder in rare cases. Although people with cyclothymia may develop bipolar disorder, the less severe condition isn't simply the onset or an early alert of the more severe condition. Cyclothymia causes of genetic contribution and psychosocial factors. Some theories posit that the hypomanic episodes have meaning in the context of a person seeking to achieve goals or to avoid depression.