Cyclothymic Disorder
Article Sections
Introduction
Cyclothymic disorder is a chronic mood disorder characterized by alternating depressive and hypomanic symptoms that are insufficient in number, severity, and/or duration to meet the full criteria for a major depressive or hypomanic episode. Mood symptoms must be present for at least half of a 2-year period (1 year in children). The frequent and unpredictable mood changes cause significant functional impairment.
Epidemiology
The lifetime prevalence of cyclothymic disorder is ~0.5%-1%. Prevalence rates are similar in males and females, and onset is typically during adolescence or early adulthood.
Clinical presentation
Cyclothymic disorder is characterized by alternating hypomanic and depressive symptoms that occur for at least half of a 2-year period (1 year in children). The symptoms must not meet criteria for a major mood episode (hypomanic or major depressive episode) and may present as insufficient symptom number (eg, only 2 hypomanic symptoms) or duration (eg, 1 week of depressive symptoms).
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