Depression And Cyclothymic Disorders

Bipolar Disorder is a brain disorder that is characterized by abnormal changes in mood, energy and activity levels (“National Institute of Mental Health”). Manic-depressive illness is also another name that bipolar disorder is commonly referred to as (“National Institute of Mental Health”). This disorder has four basic types including, bipolar I, bipolar II, cyclothymic, and any other which do not perfectly fit the first three. All four of the types have episodes of extreme highs, manic periods, and extreme lows, depressive periods. Symptoms can range greatly and depend on what type of episode the affected is having. Manic episodes can include, but are not limited to: having extraordinarily high amounts of energy, activity,

People with bipolar I disorder have full manic and major depressive episodes. Most of them experience an alternation of the episodes; for example, weeks of mania may be followed by a period of wellness, followed, in turn, by an episode of depression. Some, however, have mixed episodes, in which they display both manic and depressive symptoms within the same episode—for example, having racing thoughts amidst feelings of extreme sadness. In bipolar II disorder, hypomanic—that is, mildy manic—episodes alternate with major depressive episodes over the course of time. When a person experiences numerous periods of hypomanic symptoms and mild depressive symptoms, but not full-blown episodes, DSM-5 assigns a diagnosis of cyclothymic disorder. The symptoms of this milder form of bipolar disorder continue for two or more years, interrupted occasionally by normal moods that may last for only days or weeks.

A mild form of bipolar disorder called Cyclothymia involves less severe mood swings. People with this form alternate between hypomania and mild depression.

Bipolar disorder I, which is considered to be the more severe form of bipolar disorder can be defined as mania or mixed episodes. About sixty seven percent of the time Bipolar I people are depressed or have depressive depression. With this strain of the disorder a person has at least one episode or mixed episodes and they are more prone to committing suicide. People living with bipolar disorder can be symptomatic for half of their lives. A person with Bipolar II disorder don’t experience full blown episodes of mania, however, they are more prone to severe depression and what is considered hypomania. The last form is called cyclothymia. Cyclothymia is cyclical mood swings. Cyclothymia is the least severe of the three.

(485) Before answering the question let’s see what each term means. Bipolar disorder is a disorder that is marked by alternating or intermixed periods of mania and depression (Comer, 2013, pp.224). Unipolar depression is depression without history of mania (Comer, 2013, pp.224). Dysthymic disorder are mood disorder that are similar to but not as long lasting and less disabling than a major depressive disorder (Comer, 2013, pp.224). Cyclothymic disorder is a disorder marked by numerous periods of hypomanic symptoms and mild depressive symptoms (Comer, 2013, pp.249).

Bipolar Disorder or manic-depressive disorder is a disorder characterized by highs, manias, and lows, depressions, and can therefore be easily distinguished from unipolar depression, a major depressive disorder in DSM-5, by the presence of manic or hypomanic episodes (Miklowitz & Gitlin, 2014). Bipolar disorder is generally an episodic, lifelong illness with a variable course (American Psychiatric Association, 2010). There are two classifications of bipolar disorder; bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder. If the episodes are primarily manic but there has been at least one depressive episode, the diagnosis is bipolar I disorder (Early, 2009). If the episodes are primarily depressed but there has been at least one episode of hypomania, increased mood that is more euphoric than normal but not quite manic, the diagnosis is bipolar II disorder (Early, 2009).

Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder characterized by an alternating or shift in moods of elevation and depression. It is also known as manic depression. This mental illness is that brings severe high and low moods, it can cause changes in sleep, energy, thinking, and behavior. “Bi” which means two or alternating between two, explains the two common episodic moods that occur in individuals with this disorder; mania and depression. According to the DSM there are multiple forms of bipolar disorder, coming in four major forms; bipolar I, bipolar II, bipolar disorder and Cyclothymia. Bipolar II which is a “major depressive episodes alternate with hypomanic episodes rather than full manic episodes.”(Barlow et al., 2014). Individual with bipolar I are similar, “except the individual experiences a full manic episode.” (Barlow et al., 2014). Lastly Cyclothymia is just a mild form of bipolar disorder. Mania episodes take into account the high elevated moods; where an individual’s is extremely energetic, excited, may partake in usually activities, for example excessive spending, promiscuity or dangerous behavior. On the other hand, there are depressive episodes, which are mark by similar symptoms as the common disorder of depression, such as extreme sadness, lack of motivation, constant fatigue and irritable. More prevalent in women, although it can occur in children and older adults, this disorder is seen to suddenly develop in ages ranging from 18 to 24. Although similar men and

Cyclothymic depression is not as common as other mood disorders, but may cause many emotional problems. It is similar to bipolar illness, where patients will feel extremely happy and powerful at times, and then suddenly they will feel sad and useless (“Cyclothymia”). Only 0.4 percent-one percent of people are diagnosed with cyclothymic depression (“Cyclothymia”). The symptoms are separated into two categories: hypomanic and depressive. Hypomanic symptoms are considered the “highs” of cyclothymia where patients may feel an over abundance of happiness. (“Cyclothymia”). Their self-esteem may rise, and they may not exercise good judgement in some situations, which lead to negative consequences (“Cyclothymia”). They tend to have jumbled, disorganized

There are many different varieties of mood disorders however this paper is focused on cyclothymic and dysthymic disorders. Dysthymic mood disorder has long term effects where cyclothymic has short term effects. Mood disorders can happen to anyone at any time. It can be hereditary or simply caused by chronic stress. This paper will look at what each of these disorders are, how the come about, symptoms, and treatment. This paper will also talk about some case studies involved in each disorder to give examples of what it is like to live with a mood disorder. The entire scholarly journal authors used in this paper has a degree in phycology or education.

Major life stressors, chronic illness, medications, and relationship or work problems may cause Dysthymia. Now that you know a little bit more about Dysthymia, you are probably wondering, what are some of the symptoms? Some of the symptoms of Dysthymia are: sadness or depressed mood most of the day or almost everyday, loss of enjoyment of things that were once pleasurable, major change in weight ( weight loss or gaining weight), insomnia or excessive sleep throughout the day, Fatigue, feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness or guilt almost everyday, thoughts about death or suicide. Now that you know some of the symptoms of Dysthymia, you might wonder, How are you diagnosed with it? A mental health specialist or a psychologist, generally makes the diagnosis based on the symptoms of the person. There is no blood, x-ray, or any other lab test that can find out if you have Dysthymia. Now that that’s clear, the final question is… Is it curable!? Although Dysthymia is a severe illness; it is also very treatable. As with any chronic illnesses, early diagnosis and medical treatment may reduce the intensity and duration of symptoms, and also reduce the likelihood of it developing into major depression. To treat Dysthymia doctors may use psychotherapy, more commonly known as, seeing a therapist, along with taking antidepressants. Dysthymia can be treated by a primary care physician. Now, last but not least is “Genetic Depression”. It has been known that depressive illness can run in families. Genes that we inherit from our parents can determine lots of things such as gender, hair and eye color. Our genes also determine which illnesses we may be vulnerable to at some point in our lives. Every cell in our body contains around 50,000 to 100,000 genes. They are all made up of DNA ( deoxyribonucleic acid). Genes are located on chromosomes within the nucleus of

These types include bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, cyclothymic disorder and other specified and unspecified bipolar and related disorders. While every single type of this illness is highly important, authors Luma Muhtadie and Sheri L. Johnson (2015), focus their study on individuals with cyclothymia as well as others diagnosed with bipolar I disorder. Within this research paper I will be discussing several different topics. These topics include the reason for the study, the hypotheses, as well as how these hypotheses were tested, and finally the findings of this

Dysthymic Disorder causes you to have a low mood for as long as a year, sometimes even longer. What this means is that you will feel sad a lot of the time. The symptoms you would experience would be sadness, feeling tired very often, changes in eating habits, and changes in sleeping habits. About 2% of the American population has this type of depression. The best treatment would be therapy as opposed to medication, although combining the two might result in a faster improvement.

Cyclothymia disorder is a rare mood disorder.Cyclothymia disorder is when you have your highs and lows. Cyclothymia is like bipolar but less extreme. Symptoms of Cyclothymia are alternate between emotional highs and lows, inflated self-esteem, talking more than usual, poor judgment, racing thoughts, decreased need for sleep, tendency to be easily distracted. Cyclothymia cause is specifically not known. But some can be heredity, your body's biochemical processes, and the environment. You should get treatment for this mental disorder as earliest as you can. If not treated it can result to emotional problems. Substance abuse is common. you may also have an anxiety disorder. Take your medication as directed. Even if you feel better don't skip your

Dysthymia is another form of depression, but it’s not as severe. This disorder can be a chronic illness that is long lasting. Dysthymia occurs every day for one year or less in teens. Some of the symptoms are fatigue, appetite deprivation and low self- esteem. The Primary Care Journal states that dysthymia only affects 3 percent of the population and it is associated with functional impairment. (www.en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/dysthymia). Individuals who are diagnosed with dysthymia usually don’t notice that they are experiencing depression. They are able to carry out their daily lives.

There are also several types of bipolar disorders, depending on the nature of the illness. The main types are Bipolar I disorder, Bipolar II disorder, and cyclothymic disorder. Bipolar I disorder includes individuals who have had at least one full manic or mixed mood episode, and may or may not suffer from episodes of depression. Bipolar II disorder includes persons who have had at least one depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode, but never experience a full manic or mixed mood episode. Bipolar II may go unrecognized because the hypomanic symptoms may not appear that unusual. Cyclothymic disorder includes individuals who have suffered numerous hypomanic and depressive symptoms over at least 2 years that are not severe or not long enough in duration to meet the criteria for a mood episode. The subtypes of bipolar disorder include: rapid cycling, seasonal pattern, and post-partum onset. Individuals who experience more frequent mood episodes (4 or more per year) are called rapid cyclers. Some persons have predictable seasonal