Cyclothymic Disorder

Cyclothemia is a mood disorder in which the client displays the characteristic ups and downs (depression and euphoria) of Bipolar Disorder, to a much lower extent, and does not qualify for a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. These symptoms must last for a period of at least two years, with no period longer than 2 months in which they have been at a normal state, and no mixed episodes may have occurred.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder also known as manic depression is an affective disorder that causes periodic mood swings in which they cycle from depression to mania. Depression may be characterized by having a lack of motivation, difficulty doing tasks, short attention span, decreased appetite, crying spells, difficulty in getting to sleep or sleeping too much, and in the more severe cases thoughts of self harm. Mania is separated into two types: Full mania and hypomania. Mania may be characterized by a decreased need for sleep, decreased self-control, overspending, increased sexual activity, irritability, rage, risk-taking behaviors, and in the more severe cases psychotic states. Hypomania is described as having the same behaviors, to a less extreme level.