Cyclothymia

Some people have extremely variable moods. A person with Cyclothymia (formally called Cyclothymic Disorder) has a period of at least two years with numerous episodes of Hypomania interspersed with depressive periods that don't meet the full criteria for a Major Depressive Episode (see under Bipolar Disorder for an explanation of these terms).

The mood episodes in cyclothymia are typically quite close together, and to meet the diagnostic criteria the person cannot have gone for more than two months without an unusual mood episode of some sort.

• Note: Some people have moods that go from extreme to extreme in the course of just a few hours. This is not cyclothymia, it is "labile mood." Although it can be a symptom of certain psychological difficulties, it is not in itself a disorder.

If, based on this description, you believe that you may have Cyclothymia, tell your physician. Effective treatments are available for this problem.

Note: Information on these pages is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be taken as a substitute for care from a qualified healthcare provider.