Cyclothymia
This disorder is characterized by a chronic, fluctuating mood disturbance with many periods of hypomanic symptoms. This disturbance must exist for at least 2 years' duration, and is categorized by periods of depression alternating with periods of hypomania, and normal moods in between.
- In children the period of duration is one year with any symptom free intervals lasting no longer than 2 months.
- Cyclothymic Disorder or cyclothymia often begins early in life and may sometimes be considered to reflect a temperamental predisposition to other Mood Disorders -- especially Bipolar disorder.
- It usually develops in adolescence or early adult life.
Differential Diagnosis
A substance-induced mood disorder is distinguished from cyclothymia by the fact that a substance is required to be related to the mood disturbance.
Bipolar I Disorder with rapid cycling may resemble cyclothymia because of the frequent marked shifts in mood. However the DSM IV distinguishes the mood states in cyclothymia as lacking in the full criteria for a major depressive, manic or mixed episode disorder.
