Depression

Frequent feelings of ups and downs are the main menifistations on people who have cyclothymic disorder.  This type of disorder is less severe than that of other disorders but the symptoms and manifestations often occur in short periods of time ranging from a few days to a number of weeks.  It rarely goes beyond a year but when it does, it is no longer known as cyclothymic disorder but as dysthymic disorder.  This cyclothymic disorder is a type of bi polar disorder which only inflicts minor effects on a person. 

Emotional ups and downs are felt by a person with cyclothymic disorder with more frequent periods of stability in between.  These periods of emotional stability range up to two months.  Any longer than that then the patient is said to have a different kind of disorder. 

For a person to be diagnosed with cyclothymic disorder, the symptoms should be noticeable for at least two years.  The symptoms he or she experiences should not be as major as the symptoms which a person with major depressive disorder undergoes. 

People with cyclothymic disorder often experience periods of euphoria, where the patient is cheerful, followed by periods of mild to moderate depression.  These periods of euphoria in cyclothymic disorder often involves the patient having increased activity and sexual drives.  However, this euphoria in the cyclothymic disorder can also lead to lack of concentration, poor judgment, and risky and inconsiderate behavior.  A patient may also demonstrate hostile behavior and agitation.

After the euphoria has lapsed, mild depression sets in.  These symptoms of depression in cyclothymic disorder often involve having insomnia, binge eating or not eating at all, and anti-social behavior.  Feelings of guilt, helplessness, anxiety, death, and suicide may also overwhelm the patient’s thoughts. 

cyclothymic disorder can be controlled because the patient doesn’t lose sight of the reality of life.  He or she can continue to function as any normal being would.  However his or her mood swings may be unpredictable and may occur at any time.

Genetics is said to be a major cause of cyclothymic disorder.  Some other factors like the patient’s body chemistry and the environment a person is in may also play roles in the development of cyclothymic disorder in a person.   Other factors like having a history of cyclothymic disorder in the family, undergoing changes in lifestyle or periods of stress, and substance abuse may also be a reason why a person will develop this kind of disorder. 

Once a person is noticed to have symptoms of cyclothymic disorder or periods of extreme highs and lows in his or her life, then that person should immediately be referred to an expert specializing on these kinds of disorders.  The risky behavior exhibited by a person with cyclothymic disorder may cause accidents or even death.  cyclothymic disorder may also cause legal, relationship, and financial problems, anti-social behavior, isolation, and substance and alcohol abuse.  There are also extreme cases when a patient may follow through on his suicidal thoughts by taking his or her own life.   

Like most types of depression or disorders, cyclothymic disorder is often treated with psychotherapy, talking with friends and loved ones, heeding a medical expert’s advice, and various medicines. These medicines may consist of mood stabilizers, anti-seizure medications, and antidepressants.  Since cyclothymic disorder is a long-term condition, the patient should have a good support group in order to deal with his or her condition and feelings.  The treatment a doctor prescribes is used for making the effects of cyclothymic disorder and the frequency of which the symptoms occur weaker and lesser.  Missing one of these treatments may lead to a different kind of disorder which has stronger effects and complications.