Are you suddenly sad and suddenly happy? This could be Cyclothymic Disorder

Do you sometimes feel like your emotions are on a roller coaster? One day you're working with great energy and joy, and new ideas are flowing. But the next week you feel like you don't want to do anything, and you feel bored with the world? This constant, frequent ups and downs in your emotions may not be just 'moody' as you think. Today we're talking about a condition called cyclothymia .

Simply put, what is Cyclothymia?

Cyclothymia, or Cyclothymic Disorder, is a relatively mild mood disorder in which your mood swings back and forth between short-term periods of mild depression and periods of extreme elation called hypomania.

Now you're probably wondering what hypomania is. Simply put, it's a state of mind that is more than normal happiness, with excessive energy, strength, and lots of ideas, and full of excitement.

The important thing is that in cyclothymia, these mood swings, both low and high, never reach the level of severity we all know as bipolar disorder . That is, the low moods do not become major depression, nor do the high moods turn into uncontrollable mania. This is much milder than either of those.

What exactly are the symptoms of this condition?

In cyclothymia, mood swings are often irregular, meaning it's hard to predict when they will change. Sometimes you may feel down for days or weeks at a time. At other times, you may feel upbeat for the same amount of time.

Between these two periods of highs and lows, your mood may remain normal for more than a month. However, for some people, there may be no such normal period, and they may continue to alternate between lows and highs.

The table below can help you understand more clearly the symptoms you may experience in these two situations.

Sometimes people with these mild symptoms can be very successful in life because of the high energy that comes with their hypomanic periods. On the other hand, the constant sadness and anger can disrupt marriage, work, and even friendships.

Why is this happening?

The exact cause of this is not yet known, but many experts believe that cyclothymia is a milder form of bipolar disorder. Genetics is considered the main cause .

Simply put, if someone in your family has bipolar disorder, you are more likely to have cyclothymia. Similarly, if someone with cyclothymia has a family member with bipolar disorder, they are more likely to have bipolar disorder. There is a connection between the two.

Is there a treatment for this?

Cyclothymia often goes undiagnosed and untreated. Because the symptoms are so mild, many people think, "This is just how I am." So they don't seek medical advice . Some people may prefer their "up" period to their "up" period, thinking it will go away and they may be reluctant to seek treatment.

Typically, a person seeks help when they are unable to bear the depressive phase, rather than the hypomanic phase.

Treatment methods

There are no medications specifically approved for cyclothymia. However, your doctor may prescribe medications called mood stabilizers, such as (Lamotrigine) or (Lithium), to help control the ups and downs of your emotions.

Very important: Antidepressant medications such as Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft are not usually recommended for this condition. This is because these medications can cause some people's hypomanic states to spiral out of control and into severe mania.

In addition to medication, talk therapy (or psychotherapy) is a very important part of treatment . This involves providing professional support to help you identify your emotional patterns, learn ways to control them, and manage problems in your relationships and work.

The impact that cyclothymia can have on life

This instability of the mind can cause many problems in personal life.

• Relationships: Constantly changing emotions can make it difficult to maintain marriage, romantic relationships, and friendships .
• Work: Problems can arise due to things like not being able to work consistently at work and working to your heart's content.
• Hasty Decisions: When you are in a state of excitement, you may be tempted to act rashly and without thinking about the consequences. This can lead to legal or financial problems.
• Drug abuse: This is the most dangerous risk. Studies have shown that about 50% of people with cyclothymia, or about one in two, are at high risk of becoming addicted to drugs or alcohol .
• Risk of developing Bipolar Disorder:Over time, if left untreated, this mild condition risks developing into a more severe form of Bipolar Disorder.

If you or someone you know has these symptoms, please do not ignore them. The best thing to do is to see your family doctor or a psychiatrist as soon as possible. With proper diagnosis and treatment, you can control this condition and live a successful life.