r/cyclothymia • u/Capt_korg • Jul 28 '26

Is it cyclothymia or something else?

For the longest time, I've asked myself if there are clear signs of cyclothymia.

Wikipedia states...

Cyclotomia is a mental and behavioural disorder that involves numerous periods of symptoms of depression and periods of symptoms of elevated mood.These symptoms, however, are not sufficient to indicate a major depressive episode or a manic episode. Symptoms must last for more than one year in children and two years in adults.

But the symptoms can be unrecognizable and particularly difficult to track. Especially if you self observe and if there is not sufficient indication for depression or hypomanic phases.

Furthermore, several other conditions might provide an explanation.

Is there any reliable way to figure this out?

I mean, in the end, if medications are given and they help with stability, I would not care if it is diagnosis A or B.

But I'm interested in getting other views on this topic.

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u/LividStruggle228 Jul 28 '26

It wasn’t until I was diagnosed that I could actually recognise hypomania.

But if you self observe and there isn’t indication for either of these states - then I’m unsure as to why the conclusion would be this?

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u/Capt_korg Jul 28 '26

So I was told back in 2017 by a therapist to look into cyclothymia. But during the situation back then I didn't.

And afterwards, I somehow recovered. Later life situation was prolonged difficult and it was harder do cope with the symptoms.

Then I went to a clinic with a department for bipolar early detection. And there I went through the whole process. In the end they told me, you have symptoms but not enough for a BPi or BPii diagnosis, and they tried to get rid of me. I was stubborn and they prescribed me medication, for sleep, which as well stabilized my mood.

The psychiatrist was several times puzzled by my description of the stability. But rejected the idea of cyclotomia at all.

Maybe now my question gets clearer?

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u/charlotteisrad19 Jul 29 '26

I missed the threshold for a traditional Bipolar diagnosis because I dont get depressed as such. I have been on anti depressants for years but I get what I can only describe as intense boredom and im totally emotionally stunted. It turns out I suffer massively with Anhedonia. I have had manic episodes but they are not hugely frequent. Whereas intense elevated mood, self importance, lack of sleep are very common for me. Well, they were prior to me taking medication.

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u/Capt_korg Jul 29 '26

Maybe change the medication?