Cyclothymic Disorder: Signs, Causes And Treatment
January 20, 2025

Cyclothymic disorder, or cyclothymia, is a mood disorder. People who experience cyclothymia often experience mood swings usually typical of Bipolar I and II but which are not as intense in their highs and lows. While people who have cyclothymic disorders may not have as intense mood swings as those with Bipolar, the variation in mood can still cause disruptions in your day-to-day lives, and may require medical management. Understanding Cyclothymic disorder and tendencies can help you feel less alone during these mood changes and give you the tools that you need to improve your quality of life with Cyclothymia.
Causes of Cyclothymic Disorder
It is not quite known what exactly causes cyclothymic disorder. As with many mental health issues, the culprit likely lies within a combination of:
- Environmental influences: There are many factors in our outside environments that can influence the development of mental health disorders. This can include traumatic experiences, your living environment and other factors.
- Genetic factors: As with Bipolar, in some cases mental health disorders can be genetic. Because more research needs to be done on cyclothymia, we are not entirely certain of the exact genetic markers that can make a person more susceptible to developing this disorder.
While instances of cyclothymic disorder are thought to be quite rare at present, research is still ongoing.
Cyclothymic Disorder Symptoms
While the cause of Cyclothymic disorder is still relatively unknown, the symptoms are well documented. As mentioned before, those who experience cyclothymic disorder experience bipolar-like mood swings that can be classified into two camps: Hypomanic and Depressive. Current research suggests that Cyclothymic disorder may emerge during adolescence and persist into adulthood.
Hypomanic symptoms
Hypomania can often be described as a high or euphoric feeling. Signs and symptoms of the highs of cyclothymia may include:
- An exaggerated feeling of happiness or well-being (euphoria)
- Extreme optimism
- Inflated self-esteem
- Talking more than usual
- Poor judgment that can result in risky behavior or unwise choices
- Racing thoughts
- Irritable or agitated behavior
- Excessive physical activity
- Increased drive to perform or achieve goals (sexual, work related or social)
- Decreased need for sleep
- Tendency to be easily distracted
- Inability to concentrate
Depressive symptoms
Depressive symptoms represent the lows of cyclothymia. These may include:
- Feeling sad, hopeless or empty
- Tearfulness
- Irritability, especially in children and teenagers
- Loss of interest in activities once considered enjoyable
- Changes in weight
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Sleep problems
- Restlessness
- Fatigue or feeling slowed down
- Problems concentrating
- Thinking of death or suicide
If you or a loved one experience these symptoms on a regular basis, it’s important to seek a medical opinion on if it could be Cyclothymia.
Criteria for Cyclothymic Disorder
In order to be diagnosed with cyclothymic disorder, according to the DSM-5, you must meet the following criteria:
- Mood swings: For at least two years, experience periods of elevated mood (hypomania) and depressive symptoms. For children and teenagers, the period is at least one year.
- Mood stability: Periods of stable mood are usually less than two months.
- Impairment: Symptoms significantly impact social, occupational or other important areas of life.
- Other disorders: Symptoms don’t meet the criteria for bipolar disorder, major depression or other mental disorders.
- Substance use: Symptoms aren’t caused by substance use or a medical condition.
Cyclothymia can only be diagnosed by a mental health or medical professional.
Cyclothymic Disorder vs Bipolar
As mentioned, cyclothymic disorder and bipolar disorder share many similarities, but they are distinct disorders that require different treatment approaches. The main differences between Bipolar and Cyclothymia are the intensity of the mood swings as well as the baseline of feeling. For those with bipolar, their baseline may fluctuate lower or higher, either depressive or manic, leaving a person in a more constant state of flux. This contrasts to cyclothymia, where there are periods of stability followed by periods of mood swings. Additionally, research has found that bipolar disorder is inherited, meaning that it can be traced and understood earlier in a person’s life– as opposed to cyclothymic disorder, where the cause is still less understood.
Treatment for Cyclothymic Disorder
Cyclothymic disorder treatment may be approached differently depending on your circumstances. Every brain is different; however, a combination of lifestyle changes, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication management often produce favorable results for those struggling with their mental health.
Lifestyle changes
Making lifestyle changes can also play a significant role in recovery. This might include adopting a healthier diet, engaging in regular physical activity, establishing a consistent sleep routine or practicing mindfulness and relaxation techniques.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a kind of talk therapy that is used to manage a variety of mental health disorders and symptoms. Time with a qualified therapist can give you the space and perspective that you need in order to make improvements on your mental health. Additionally, a CBT professional can help advise you if it’s time to seek medication or more serious treatment for your condition and help you monitor your overall mental well-being over long periods of time.
Medication management
Medication can play a vital role in managing your mental health. Antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), have come a long way from their inception and can help people vastly improve their quality of life. Medication is not the answer to all mental health issues, and it’s important to talk to a doctor before starting any new kind of medication to make sure it’s the best course of action. Remember, recovery is not a destination but a process of continuous improvement and self-discovery. Bellaire Behavioral Health Hospital wants to aid you in that process of healing by offering specialized behavioral health programs in the Houston area. Learn more about our offerings on our services page or call us at 1-833-618-0017 to see if Bellaire is the right place for you to begin your mental health recovery.
Behavioral Hospital of Bellaire
Behavioral Hospital of Bellaire is a facility that provides specialized behavioral health services focused on helping adults learn the skills necessary to live successful meaningful lives. We offer acute mental health treatment in our inpatient psychiatric facility as well as less intensive outpatient care.
Located in Houston, Texas, we take an integrative approach to mental health by having our multidisciplinary work together with patients to create customized treatment plans that focus on their individual goals. Our programs include servicing adolescents, adults and older adults. Some of the conditions we treat are depression, anxiety, substance use and more. We also have a variety of evidence-based treatment practices, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy.
To schedule a no-cost assessment or for more information, please call 1-833-379-0017
Behavioral Hospital of Bellaire
Behavioral Hospital of Bellaire is a facility that provides specialized behavioral health services focused on helping adults learn the skills necessary to live successful meaningful lives. We offer acute mental health treatment in our inpatient psychiatric facility as well as less intensive outpatient care.
Located in Houston, Texas, we take an integrative approach to mental health by having our multidisciplinary work together with patients to create customized treatment plans that focus on their individual goals. Our programs include servicing adults and older adults. Some of the conditions we treat are depression, anxiety, substance use and more. We also have a variety of evidence-based treatment practices, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy.
To schedule a no-cost assessment or for more information, please call 1-833-379-0017