Mania, Hypomania, and Cyclothymia

[@chelseas6991]

I have cyclothymia and it certainly isn't mild I personally think its worse. I rapid cycle every few days. No two days are ever the same with me it effects me everyday.

[@alexlambertatl6067]

Hi Chelsea, mild is probably a terrible word to describe the symptoms. My girlfriend just received this diagnosis a month ago and it's been a very challenging couple of months prior and since. I've been looking for resources for this condition. It seems helpful to distinguish it from bipolar I & II but I wonder how much is out there about cyclothymia. If you have any leads, please let me know. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@thequeenofrap7326]

How interesting I heard people having rapidly change in a day whuch i think it sucks so much but for me it last around month for my mood to change though it's just a sleep issue for me

[@user-ch2xb8kr8e]

​@@alexlambertatl6067 😢 I don't understand how they say it is called mild either. I deal with the rapid cycles everyday and it doesn't stop. He is Irritable and running all over. It is awful to deal with.

[@fatsonot181]

​​@@alexlambertatl6067 hey dude any luck now after a year?

[@visionvixxen]

Yep- almost wish had bipolar 1. It’s becoming impossible to get my own food and live independently, work or sustain friendships. This is exhausting

[@uniquem55]

Cyclothymia definitely doesn’t feel mild it’s personally more exhausting going through high and lows so frequently. My “normal” periods are non existent.

[@ALTheFreeMan]

Thanks for this video and thorough breakdown! While I haven’t sought an official diagnosis, I’m pretty certain that I suffer from “rapid cycling” Cyclothymia. Not sure when it started, but, I know that as far back as my college days i can recall many mood changes. I also believe family, friends, and coworkers have observed my changes in mood and just haven’t said anything. Like you said, the “high” of hypomania is great! But, it only lasts for a few days before I’m headed down again. I’ll be down for a couple days, and I’m back up again, with sometimes normal day or two in between. When I was younger, I was not aware of my mental state, I never really even thought about it. I’ve done a lot of my own research over the years and at one time thought it was ADD, or maybe even Borderline Personality Disorder. I’m 38 years old, have had more jobs and relationships than I can count, and frankly, not knowing how I’m going to feel from day to day is driving me nuts! My changes in mood seem to not only affect my mental state, but I can also feel a difference in my metabolism, and energy levels when I work out. I’ve even started to use my moods to gauge how hard I workout! Not sure how healthy that is, but, hey....not sure what to do. I haven’t seen a doctor because I don’t want to be put on meds. Any info that could help me out would be much appreciated. Again, great video fellas.

[@kasuraga]

i got diagnosed with cyclothymia recently. I thought i just had depression but apparently what i thought was my normal is mild hypomania and my depression was the primary issue along with having general anxiety disorder and social anxiety. Ive had it for years. depression episodes last 2-3 weeks, followed by another few weeks where i feel pretty normal/in an overall very good mood, etc.

[@elizabethlynch6544]

In the beginning of 2012, i was diagnosed as Asperger's Syndrome and Cyclothymic while dealing with Type 1 Diabetes for a long time.

[@susannadj]

I thought of cyclothymia as a bipolar type that is not being diagnosed to persons because they are not usually seek help since the symptoms being manifested are not that intense and threatening like type 1 and type 2.. I think some people who might experience such condition might look at it as one of their "mood swings" or just use rationalization in evaluating their own emotions thus decided not to seek professional help...

[@TheMentalBreakdown]

True... It's my impression that many with Cyclothymia have had the underlying symptoms for so long, that it becomes "normal" for them. Unlike the manic or depressive episodes, which are distinct and recognizable mood states, cyclothymia tends to be more pervasive and could simply become the way the person sees the world. Thanks for the comment!

[@susannadj]

The Mental Breakdown is it possible that a traumatic event can cause bipolar?

[@TheMentalBreakdown]

I would not say that trauma "causes" Bipolar Disorder. It could trigger the expression of a genetic predisposition for Bipolar Disorder, but it would be difficult to differentiate that from PTSD or other trauma-based responses to such an event... Hope that helps.

[@susannadj]

The Mental Breakdown ooh okay, is it also possible to develop bipolar disorder without any biological predispositions? Something like epigenetics? Or there is this idea that we have "bipolar genes" and our environment triggers it?

[@TheMentalBreakdown]

It is a little difficult to tell. That is, there could be a genetic predisposition in a family that remains silent (i.e., never triggered into action). When a family member then presents with Bipolar Disorder, it might seem to be "out of nowhere," when in reality it was genetically based... I hope that makes sense... Short story is - we really don't know for sure... :-)

[@amber7064]

I was just diagnosed cyclothymia. All the symptoms are there and it fits perfect. Five months ago I started attending a rehab program and my "big event" was sobriety. Thank you for this, it is impossible to find any info on this disorder.

[@witchytingz8674]

I've had 2 manic episodes my whole life and that was when I went off of an antidepressant, and again when the doctors switched me to zoloft. As soon as I stopped zoloft, I felt better. My symptoms when I was on zoloft were classic Bipolar 1 symptoms. Now I just have hypomanic. I love being hypomanic. I am able to get some sleep when I am hypomanic. Sedatives like melatonin don't work. Only benadryl or cannabis works to help me sleep but I only get like a few hours of sleep. Like 2 to 4 hours. When I spoke with a Psychiatrist recently, and she explained to me how bipolar can present as major depressive disorder, which is what I was diagnosed as when I was younger, and then now in my 30s, I have the hypomanic episodes with the depressive episodes right after, it all makes sense why antidepressants never worked for me, even as a teen. I'd always end up having to stop taking them because I'd have an episode while on them.

[@deirdresversion]

I was diagnosed with “Bipolar type 2 with psychotic features and 1 confirmed mixed MANIC episode”. I don’t understand why I was given a BP2 diagnosis if I had a full mixed manic episode that lasted 7 weeks... it impaired my whole life. Worst thing I ever experienced.

[@amityelliott3810]

Can you distinguish Cyclothymia from Borderline Personality Disorder? In both there is a sense of emotional dysegulation, mood shifts, and comorbidities. Understanding the difference between mood versus pathology, how would one be able to tell the difference?

[@TheMentalBreakdown]

Amity, great question! I should first note that differentiating between many of these conditions (i.e., Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymia, Borderline PD, etc.) is very difficult and will require time and skilled assessment. That said, when looking at the two you mention - Cyclothymia and BPD - there are a few things to note. First, though, it is important to note that a person can be diagnosed with both conditions, suggesting that they do meet criteria for both at the same time. With that in mind, the primary ting that one would have to remember in differentiating between the two is that while shifts in mood/mood dysregulation is the primary feature of Cyclothymia, it is but one symptom of BPD. To meet criteria for BPD, a person must exhibit several other symptoms, including things like fear of abandonment, unstable relationships, unstable self-image, self-harm and risk-taking behaviors, suicidal behaviors, feelings of emptiness, intense anger, and/or paranoid or dissociative ideations. Those, in addition to mood dysregulation) are the symptoms from the DSM-5, and a person must have 5 or more of them to meet criteria for BPD. So while there is that overlap between the two conditions, BPD includes many more symptoms and characteristics. Hope that helps. Thanks so much for the question! -- Dr. Berney

[@GreatMysticalNight]

Ha, I can’t watch this... the left and right audio is switched. It’s too weird in first place to have one person in each ear.

[@Lander76]

Thank you for this video. Several months ago I was diagnosed as 'likely bipolar' by my psychiatrist however he never defined whether it was 1 or 2. I have since had a follow up consultation with a different psychiatrist who is not 'convinced' that I am bipolar and has stated my differential diagnosis could be cyclothymia. Personally I feel I am in between bipolar 1 and 2. I experience hypomanic (manic?) symptoms with severe paranoia (unshakeable beliefs of imagined criticism of me by others, feeling like people are out to assassinate my character, people spying on me and talking about me etc) that lasts for several days and there are some symptoms of depression (fatigue, lack of motivation, flattened mood, ruminating, withdrawn, isolation) thereafter but not of the chronic type to the extent that I cannot function and I am confined to my bed for days. I am feeling confused and concerned about my conflicting diagnosis. I would appreciate it if you could offer your thoughts or some advice to help clarify things for me. Am I showing signs of mania? Do I sound closer to BP1 or 2 or cyclothymia?

[@TheMentalBreakdown]

Thanks for the comment Lander F. It is a bit difficult to tell based upon your description here. Certainly these are difficult diagnoses to make, and as a clinician, I am glad to hear that the second psychiatrist is being a little more thoughtful and is not jumping to a diagnosis too quickly. As the patient, I am sure that it is frustrating to not have clear answers, but I would encourage you to consider two things. 1) getting the right diagnosis will lead to the right treatment. Conversely, having the wrong diagnosis will result in the wrong (unsuccessful or even worsening) treatment. 2) For some of these diagnoses, the initial recommendations (i.e., consistent sleep, stress management, etc.) will be the same, whether it is BP1, BP2, or cyclothymia. Hang in there Lander F! I know that it can be difficult, but hopefully you have a clinician who will help you figure out what's going on. -- Dr. Berney

[@Lander76]

@@TheMentalBreakdown Many thanks for your reply!

[@Nazuna500]

my hypomanic episodes are fairly short with the depressive episodes lasting months or even years. the longest hypomanic episode I had was a few weeks but I crashed into the worst depressive episode of my life (I ended up looking into mental institutions at one point b/c of my suicidal ideation were so bad).

[@dongmeilyu9688]

Thank you for your video, I am suffering from Cyclothymia.

[@joanneroberts1529]

As a sufferer fiM cyclothymia, i can say it is NOT a mild disorder

[@paulsharkey6576]

Absolutely debilitating. Long term, consistent and life ruining.

[@ineshajri519]

@@paulsharkey6576 I agree... I just hate it when I read online that it's a mild disorder compared to bipolar, like it's still bipolar. I think further research is needed in this area.

[@domenicogrimaldi591]

I haven't gone to a psychiatrist to get diagnosed because I do not want to be put on any medication, but it really feels like I've got type 2 bipolar. I get a few days or even a couple weeks of feeling awesome, super-motivated, basically like I'm on the perfect dose of speed. I'll get all my work done, and then some, I'll be doing all sorts of productive activities, and really looking forward to the future...Then I'll get periods of a couple days or a couple weeks of the most brutal depression and despair you could imagine. I'll neglect my responsibilities, sleep for like 15 hours a day, experience suicidal ideation, isolate. It sucks. I wish I could be hypomanic (if that is what is it) all the time. Also, is it just me or does the guy on the left look like Mark Wahlberg?

[@mariabelaev6490]

Thank you for making this great professional lecture widely available. Important question: if you see a pt, with a very unclear, very questionable, very benign "hypomanic episodes with a stretch," but very clear, depressive episodes, anxiety, resistance to SSRI... would you consider mood stabilizers? In other words, would a mood stabilizer help with the depressive episode, or would it mainly cut on the benign hypomania, treating which would not improve the quality of life? Thank you for your response.

[@NameBrandCody]

I thought I was hypo-manic without ever being depressed but I guess I have cyclothymia... I don’t feel the need to sleep, racing positive thoughts, grandiose goals (to be a ceo of a publicly traded company), abnormally high energy, lack the ability to concentrate, feelings of divinity, the need to keep talking... etc I have been this way (aside from situational depression such as break up or losing job/ major negative life events) since 2015... so 5 years minimum. I very well could’ve had it all my life, but I wasn’t rly very introspective or self aware of my own nature before 2015 So if I’m just always in a positive manic state without feeling the need to be hospitalized, would that be a candidate for cyclothymia? If so what are my next steps? Should I treat it? I just want to dial myself in, cuz I can be all over the place... but with authority, is that makes sense. I take over projects or conversations or sales or social situations and it has been a valuable trait but it’s starting to push away my social life, which is fine... I’m still happy and driven, but I’d like to fix that. I want to pull in the reins, dial myself in, keep the elevated mood/goals and energy, while fixing my sleep. I sleep like every other day and do the on a regular basis. Like I’d say in an avg year I probably sleep under 300 nights for avg 6 hours I cuz I don’t have mood swings... this is me all the time

[@euong1]

You might have ADHD. Since your depression is situational. You have "manic like" energy which is hyperactivity.

[@stoneyvowell1239]

Very interesting guys I do appreciate your take on it. I've got a lot of interest in this subject due to my own diagnosis of bipolar 1 without a clear manic episode. But also with a diagnosis of schizophrenia ADHD and a conversion disorder. Your video is the first I have seen specifying substance use or a medical condition. I believe I would be more cyclothymic or bipolar 2 not so much one because of the lack of the manic episode. I saw another post on here about the differences between cyclothymia and borderline personality which my evaluation says I could very well be borderline as well as autistic. I understand more information is needed to try to make an accurate diagnosis of which condition is which and could be comorbid with it as well. But again I appreciate any information I can gather.

[@andrewrees8749]

First time ive,ever heard if this, i have rapid changing mood swings, been on seroxat for many years.

[@TheMentalBreakdown]

Thanks for sharing!

[@anniealex7965]

Can you please tell me what u mean by manic episode? Do they show psychosis symptoms? Thank you.

[@groob33]

Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right.

[@paulsharkey6576]

You guys should meet with me. I have a very clear case of cyclothymia.

[@izabelribas5715]

Yeah... Me too

[@Enjoytheshow435]

What if you had a maniac episode once but it was induced by taking painkillers!?

[@paulsharkey6576]

My normal moods last for maybe a couple of hours every 3 months. That's all I get.

[@MrZkoki]

Very informative video. By the way, nice bowtie !

[@dongmeilyu9688]

Cognitive Behavior Therapy works better than drugs for me.

[@James_David]

This overemphasis on diagnosis and symptomology, not uncommon of psychiatry, is the very thing that inhibits addressing the problem at the fundamental level. You're just describing the shadows on the wall. Strictly taking this approach to healing the psychologically distressed fails to address the root issues, and for most that root issue is that thing which you conveniently forgot to mention. It's called trauma.

[@davidzaiser9929]

It has to last 2 days 6 hours and 9 minutes for it to be....rubbish!

[@davidzaiser9929]

There is nothing diagnostic about your diagnosis....completely subjective quackery.

[@SugaryPhoenixxx]

Psychiatry is such a load of crap. How can you possibly believe in "science" that is not objectively testable? You are only going off of what patients tell you. If they mis-speak they might be mis- diagnosed & wrongly hospitalized! "Bi-polar" runs in my family. I remember watching my father go an entire week without sleep, making big business plans, & foaming at the mouth when he talked with such intensity no one could even get a word in edge wise. He went from pure bliss & elation to rabid & angry. I myself have had a single manic episode, but because of my prior exposure to mania I was able to recognize it in myself after about 3 days. My mom also said something to me. So I just stayed home from work & sat in my room & watched relaxing things on KZbin. I snapped out of it the next day. (4 days) Which wouldn't be enough for you 2 "experts" to diagnose me. I am high functioning, & do not take conventional psych medication for it because I have watched as antipsychotics/antidepressants have turned my family & friends into zombies. My dad is "treated" but he is not the same man that I knew & loved now that he is on the meds. For me it is mind over matter. I will not allow myself to go through life as a broken person who is not in control of my own mind. But I love my bipolar in a crazy way it feels like I am living in outer space sometimes compared to other people. They cannot match my energy level lol. I just focus that energy in a productive way like excelling at work. Stop telling people that they are broken. When we take accountability away from the individual, then the "illness" has power over us. People made it through thousands of years without psych meds & psychiatrists. Look at Edgar Allen Poe, he was a crazy mofo but he went down in history for his amazing works of literature. My Dad (before treatment) used to write a lot of beautiful poetry. I loved reading his poems. But he does not write anymore, now that he is medicated. sigh.

[@meganrobson2535]

Hi could you please help me iv been diagnosed with cyclothymia just reciantly after having hypomania episode and now currently bouncing up and down rapidly day to day so I do believe the diagnosis is correct for my current symptoms however i already have a MDD diagnosis but haven't presented like that in around a year and a half? How can I have cyclothymia and MDD at the same time. Is she just waiting for me to go downhill again into MDD before the diagnosis changes