Cyclothymia Treatment
Do unpredictable mood swings make you feel like your emotions are all over the place?
Cyclothymia is a mental health disorder that can be difficult to recognize but can significantly impact your daily life and overall wellness. Hanley Center offers specialized cyclothymia treatment to help you regain stability, take back control, and find lasting healing.
Understanding Cyclothymia
What Is Cyclothymia?
Cyclothymia, also called cyclothymic disorder, is a rare mood disorder that causes emotional ups and downs. While these fluctuations are not as extreme as those in bipolar I or bipolar II, it is still critical to seek help if these symptoms can interfere with your ability to function and increase your risk of developing bipolar I or bipolar II.
Cyclothymia vs. Bipolar Disorder: Understanding the Differences
The main differences between these two disorders are symptom severity, symptom length, and the pattern of mood shifts.
Cyclothymia is characterized by chronic symptoms of hypomania and depression that are less severe and shorter in duration than major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorders are characterized by hypomanic, manic, and depressive episodes that last for days or weeks at a time. Bipolar disorders can also cause alarming symptoms like delusional thinking and suicidal thoughts.
How Common Is Cyclothymia?
Cyclothymia affects between 0.4% and 1% of people in the United States.
However, because this disorder has many symptoms that overlap with other mental health conditions, many researchers believe cyclothymia is considerably under or misdiagnosed.
The Impact of Cyclothymia on Daily Life
Living with cyclothymia requires patience, compassion, and proactive symptom management.
Hypomanic episodes result in racing thoughts, distraction, insomnia, overexertion, irritability, impulsivity, and poor judgment.
Depressive episodes can lead to fatigue, lack of motivation, social withdrawal, and low self-esteem.
Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Cyclothymia
Hypomanic Episodes: Understanding the “Highs”
The signs and symptoms of hypomania in the context of cyclothymia include:
- Feeling extremely happy, excited, or euphoric
- Experiencing a surge of energy and engaging in more activities than usual
- Talking more than usual
- Having racing thoughts, making it difficult to concentrate
- Feeling overly confident
- Needing less sleep than usual
- Acting on impulses
- Being easily distracted
- Feeling irritable or agitated
- Making poor decisions
Depressive Episodes: Navigating the “Lows”
The signs and symptoms of a depressive episode in the context of cyclothymia include:
- Feeling sad, hopeless, or empty
- Feeling agitated, irritable, and restless
- Experiencing sleep problems and restlessness
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Losing interest in activities or hobbies
Rapid Cycling: When Mood Swings Become More Frequent
Rapid cycling is not a symptom of cyclothymia.
When mood swings become more severe, more frequent, or last for longer periods, seek immediate medical attention. Early intervention is crucial for effective symptom management.
The Emotional Rollercoaster: Recognizing the Pattern of Cyclothymia
A typical pattern for someone with cyclothymia includes:
- Unpredictable and frequent high and low mood changes over several days or weeks.
- Mild hypomanic
These are episodes of increased energy, talkativeness, and impulsivity. They do not disrupt daily functioning. - Mild depressive episodes
These are episodes of decreased energy, hopelessness, social withdrawal, and difficulty concentrating. They are not severe enough to qualify as major depressive disorder.
- Mild hypomanic
- Chronic and persistent symptoms lasting for two or more years in adults (one year in children and adolescents) without a break of more than two months.
MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS
Causes and Risks of Cyclothymia
Genetic Factors: Is There a Family History of Mood Disorders?
Genetics plays a likely role in the development of cyclothymia, as it tends to run in families. Research suggests an increased risk of cyclothymia if:
- Your twin sibling has cyclothymia or another mood disorder.
- You have a sibling or parent with bipolar I or bipolar II.
While genetics certainly play a role in cyclothymia risk, it is important to note it is likely not caused by a single gene but rather a combination of several genetic and environmental factors.
Brain Chemistry: Understanding the Role of Neurotransmitters
Imbalances in brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) are associated with mood disorders, including cyclothymia.
Neurotransmitters are crucial for emotional regulation, and when they are imbalanced, they can cause mood swings and other symptoms of cyclothymia.
Environmental Triggers: Stress, Trauma, and Substance Use
Significant life changes (e.g., divorce, career changes, death of a spouse) or traumatic experiences (e.g., abuse, neglect, loss) can disrupt your emotional stability and contribute to the development of cyclothymia and other mood disorders.
The Link Between Cyclothymia and Other Mental Health Conditions
Some research suggests cyclothymia often co-occurs with certain mental health conditions, such as:
- Anxiety disorders
- Substance use disorders
- Personality disorders (e.g., ADHD, borderline personality disorder, major depressive disorder)
Diagnosing Cyclothymia
The Importance of Accurate Diagnosis
Cyclothymia is a chronic mood disorder that can impact daily functioning if left untreated. An accurate diagnosis and early intervention can help prevent complications and improve long-term outcomes. In some cases, it may even help prevent the development of bipolar I or bipolar II disorder.
Diagnostic Criteria
According to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), the diagnostic criteria for cyclothymia disorder include:
- You have experienced several periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms for two years or more (one year for children and adolescents).
- Your periods of stable moods usually last less than two months.
- Your symptoms negatively impact you socially, at work, school, or in other important areas of your life.
- Your symptoms do not meet the criteria for other mental health disorders (e.g., bipolar I, bipolar II, major depressive disorder).
- Your symptoms are not caused by substance misuse or a medical condition.
The Psychological Evaluation
To make an accurate cyclothymia diagnosis, your doctor or other healthcare provider must pinpoint the cause of your symptoms. This involves several tests, including a psychological evaluation.
This evaluation typically involves the following:
- Clinical evaluation to discuss symptom onset, duration, frequency, and impact on your daily life, relationships, and work.
- Medical and psychiatric history to assess your family history, past psychiatric diagnosis or treatments, and whether you have a history of substance use or other medical conditions.
- Diagnostic tests for evaluating mood and symptoms
Ruling Out Other Conditions
Your doctor or other healthcare provider may conduct a differential diagnosis to rule out other mood disorders or co-occurring cognitive difficulties (e.g., bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, borderline personality disorder).
This is a medical process that considers all possible conditions that could explain your symptoms and then rules them out one by one.
Specialized Treatment for Cyclothymia at Hanley Center
At Hanley Center, our Residential Mental Health Program provides structured, personalized care for individuals navigating cyclothymia.
Treatment includes comprehensive psychiatric assessments, mood-stabilizing medication management, and evidence-based therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based interventions to help individuals regulate mood swings and develop coping strategies.
Our supportive environment encourages emotional balance, improved self-awareness, and long-term wellness. For individuals with co-occurring substance use disorders, Hanley Center also offers integrated dual diagnosis treatment, addressing both cyclothymia and addiction together to promote true, sustainable recovery.
Hanley Center has been treating people with bipolar disorders for four decades.
With the right help, we know people can and do recover.
Effective Treatment Options for Cyclothymia
Psychotherapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and More
Cyclothymia requires lifelong treatment because it carries a high risk of developing into bipolar disorder, a more severe mood disorder. The primary treatment for this condition is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) because it can help reduce stress by teaching you how to:
- Recognize, monitor, and change negative thought patterns and behaviors
- Cope with stressful situations
- Change the way you think, react, and problem-solve
- Improve communication and interactions with others
Medication Management: Mood Stabilizers and Antidepressants
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any specific medication to treat cyclothymia. However, certain mood stabilizers and antidepressants can help reduce mood swings and other symptoms.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment: Addressing Both Cyclothymia and Addiction
At Hanley Center, our specialists address mental health disorders and several types of addiction together to ensure the best possible health outcome. Primary benefits of dual diagnosis treatment for cyclothymia and addiction include:
- Improved quality of life
- Reduced relapse rates
- Increased motivation and treatment adherence
- More effective treatment and longer-lasting results
- Access to ongoing continuing care and support groups
Holistic Therapies: Promoting Overall Well-Being and Long-Term Recovery
At Hanley Center, we take a holistic approach to health and well-being that focuses on your overall physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellness. We offer several recreational and experiential therapies to help you develop the knowledge, life skills, and behaviors that support healthy recovery. Our inpatient residents can select from a variety of group activities, including:
- Adventure and outdoor pursuits
- Trust activities
- Guided morning stretch
- Cooperative games
- Beach experiences
- Problem-solving initiatives
The Hanley Center Approach: Personalized and Compassionate Care
Healing begins with the right support. Our personalized approach combines expert care with compassion, helping you find balance and long-term wellness.
Contact our admissions team today and take the first step toward recovery and long-lasting wellness.
Call 561.841.1033 today to get started.
Hanley Center: Most Insurance Accepted
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Address: 933 45th Street
West Palm Beach, FL 33407
