What is Cyclothymia? | Matt Edmondson on Impact of Rare Mental Health Disorder Cyclothymia

Matt Edmonson opens up about his experience with cyclothymia, a rare mental health condition similar to bipolar disorder, characterised by intense bouts of depression followed by equally intense bouts of euphoria.
In this chat with Fearne, Edmondson explains how he struggled for years before getting his ''life-changing'' diagnosis and how having an official medical diagnosis has helped him understand himself better and what he can do about it.
Did you know what cyclothymia was before this episode? Watch the full episode here: • Matt Edmondson Opens U... Also, if you think you have cyclothymia, it's important to seek help from a GP: www.nhs.uk/conditions/cycloth...
Matt Edmondson is a British television and Sony Award-nominated radio presenter, best known for his work with BBC Radio 1 and ITV2. Edmondson currently presents the weekend afternoon show Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 1 pm to 4 pm with Mollie King. In 2016, he co-presented The Xtra Factor alongside Rylan Clark-Neal on ITV2.
Matt's podcast, Not Another Love Song, is available to listen to on all podcast platforms.
Follow Matt Edmondson on Instagram: / matthewedmondson
CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains a conversation about suicide and alcoholism, so do take care while listening.
You can pre-order Fearne’s new book Speak Your Truth here: amzn.to/2HwAkek
Listen to the Happy Place podcast here podfollow.com/happyplace or you can watch it on KZbin here: bit.ly/3pSerHr
ABOUT HAPPY PLACE
Fearne's HAPPY PLACE is a place to celebrate honesty, authenticity and community. Fearne delves into life, love, loss and everything in-between by chatting to inspiring individuals who have made a change in their own lives or help other people to find different ways of seeing life as she reveals what happiness means to them.
Happy Place is a space that is safe for all where difference is celebrated and the extraordinary is discovered. A place to focus on the positives and to help you find the joy every day - big or small.
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ABOUT FEARNE COTTON
Fearne Cotton is an English television and radio presenter, mother, broadcaster, writer and founder of Happy Place, a place where Fearne holds difficult but important conversations to encourage self-care and self-appreciation, creating a positive impact on the world, giving everyone a voice and actively listening.
CONNECT WITH FEARNE COTTON
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#FearneCotton #HappyPlace #happyplacepodcast #MattEdmondson #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #Cyclothymia #cyclothymicdisorder #bipolardisorder #fullinterview

[@philtolfreeart]

I was diagnosed 6 months ago and this is the first time I have listened to someone else talk about it. Really helpful to hear, thank you!

[@izzybitsyspider03]

I have never been diagnosed but I watch cyclothymia videos, now and then, because I feel like I relate to it. The part that surprised me was when he said he doesn't know the person he turns into when he gets work done. I was telling my mother the other day that I turn from Dr. Jekyll into Mr. Hyde when I accomplish tasks. Not because I'm evil lol but because it's a completely different person.

[@neiljamcfarlane9614]

I know what you mean, I look in the mirror some days and don't recognise the person staring back at me. I often say the same as yourself, I'm like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and you wake up each day not knowing which one is going to be there on each day is tiring.

[@izzybitsyspider03]

@@neiljamcfarlane9614 thanks for sharing, Donald. It's definitely difficult and scary trying to understand myself but I am trying my best to be honest with myself and recognize patterns of strange behavior or bouts of depression/anxiety. KZbin is wonderful because it reminds me that I'm not the only one experiencing these things!

[@mr.sushi2221]

Described it perfectly I’m diagnosed bipolar 2 but this more describes my forms of mania and depression. I also relate to the music. The idea getting it out into the world everything I can relate too.

[@FrankieDay]

Just got diagnosed today and came here to learn more.. I completely relate to EVERYTHING Matt is saying. We’ve had a lot of the same experiences, thanks for posting this!

[@user-bz6dz1mw5s]

Yeah it's just that easy, we must stick together.... U may contact

[@jeanbastien9424]

This is the absolute best description I’ve ever heard.

[@joanneroberts1529]

Thank you for calling out about Cyclotyhmia. I myself suffer from this and anxirty so know first hand where you are coming from

[@robch.2901]

Thank you for talking openly about it , there's few info about cyclothymic D. I have never been diagnosed but I can relate perfectly what you are saying. Happens to me that when the source that gaves this boots of energy, like beautiful feelings of my significant other disappear just for an hour or she is not in the mood , I go from euphoria to totally feeling down. It can happen suddenly in less than 10 minutes. I can be laughing and then crying. Is really hard to cope with it , I'm trying to be a better boyfriend, it helps me to know that what I have can be managed with cognitive therapy. Cheers !

[@kielb7016]

Fair play to be completely honest… I suffer with this but I deal with this 100% on me own. It’s horrible so I’m truly glad you have the support 😁

[@enteblu6799]

I have been diagnosed 4 years ago now and it’s been such a huge relief and put everything into its place. Mood swings can be extremely damaging for your life quality, your relationships are gonna be damaged, often in an irreversible way. Unfortunately my mania is mainly rage (the idea that mania is only euphoria is totally wrong, it can be but it’s not always)

[@FreedominJesusUPC]

I was just diagnosed after being on anti-anxiety meds. My main symptom is extreme rage and irritability.

[@enteblu6799]

@@FreedominJesusUPC I don’t know if I’m cyclothymic or bpd cause they can look similar

[@writerwannabe8778]

@@enteblu6799 You can have both bipolar and bpd, so you can probably have cyclothymia and bpd at the same time, too. Type in borderpolar in your search browser.

[@CharlieGrace]

Great video

[@missblackman5656]

I listen to fern on her podcast channel this really was such an insightful listen. So greatful for this Thankyou both 🙌🏾

[@user-cb5hj2lc4f]

January was a high moment for me.I hope it continues

[@neiljamcfarlane9614]

I have ADHD and Cerebral Palsy alongside Depression and Anxiety. My Mum had Bi Polar and I often think whether I have it. A mental health nurse came to the place I worked when I was a Support Worker and she talked to us about Bi Polar and when she talked about this rare form of Bi Polar I said to myself - s**t that's me! So many symptoms ring true for me with it. I've been off work for over two years and I'm still fighting my mental health with very little support apart from my wife. A mental health nurse told my wife when I was first referred to the local community mental health team that it sounded like I had boarder line personality disorder. I believe that I've got both Cyclothymia and Borderline Personality Disorder alongside each other. I have an appointment with my psychologist in a few weeks for the first time in 12 months and the first ever face to face as well. I was put into a children's psychiatric unit at a young age and the psychologists said in 1993 that I presented with a variety of behavioural and emotional difficulties for which it is difficult to find one single precise diagnosis. My GP is also refering me for a test for Autism Spectrum Disorder alongside ADHD. I do have ADD according to social services reports. My issue with mental health is this, it comes in waves, it's like being on a merry go round not knowing how to get off, being up one minute, angry the next, then really dark and shutting down the next, getting angry easy, being irritable, some days I sleep during the day, sometimes through the night, some days I am awake through the night and at times I go over 24 hours without sleep, I've lost interest in things I used to love to do, my mood swings are like a pendulum, sometimes I can be normal, in my head it is like a battlefield, Most days I have little energy and just watch TV, some days I have energy to do things,some days I have control of my moods and other days I don't etc it's just a viscous circle that is so draining and life destroying. I take each day one minute at a time, I'm a fighter and just fight each and every single day.

[@izzybitsyspider03]

I cannot imagine what you have gone through in life but, yes, always continue to fight! Your words are inspiring!

[@krissymarklewis1793]

I can relate to this.

[@scratchoriginalsdh]

I supposedly have Cyclothymia, but my “ups” I would not describe as happy, or Disneyland. Maybe more like Zombieland. A hyper state of agitation and aggression.

[@paige_iaconelli3034]

i fall down instead of up, no pun intended. i was diagnosed in 2017, and the state i got my testing done in is pretty sure i have fibromyalga as well. point being with both there is this horrible horrible brain fog that just gets in the way of everything i do, from my relationships to work. It feels like i'm literally spacing out for some seconds, that's just the thing though, it may be seconds or more. could even be minutes at a time and id have no idea. I'm scared to start driving for that reason, though with my low self esteem, I believe I shouldn't make people worry. because who am I to cause someone else worry.

[@dannycooke18]

i got diagnosed with this today.

[@victoriacrossley5844]

I've been diagnosed with cyclothymia about 5 years ago, previously diagnosed with depression 10 yrs previous, I've been suicidal due to medication, but I'm really struggling with the cycles. I don't know how to control it. The quick cycles for me are so destructive I'm high then low, manic - completely reckless, then so low I can't be around people. But I'm a mum

[@sethmactavish1465]

Diagnosed at 13 it’s been a struggle ever since just to understand it

[@Inuyasha0018]

I just got diagnosed and I’ve been nervous that maybe she got it wrong cuz I swore it was just ADHD.. but.. the description of this is SPOT ON 😨… I don’t know how to feel about my diagnosis.. I am being treated for cyclothumia AND adhd..

[@beebumbling]

I just got Cyclothymia dx also, but I suspect ADHD is in the mix

[@stanrix]

I can save thousands of dollars when my “lay in bed months” hit me. Then I can blow the lot building fences, sheds and gardens in a matter of weeks. Also you can get heaps more done only sleeping 3-4 hours 😂

[@alvinmitchell1626]

Hello

[@pressinpickle345]

I think this might be wrong with me.

[@user-bz6dz1mw5s]

Please send mine on time mate 😂

[@fearnecotton]

Did you know what cyclothymia was before this episode? Watch the full episode here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnLWYot3rdSbjck Also, if you think you have cyclothymia, it's important to seek help from a GP: www.nhs.uk/conditions/cyclothymia/

[@missblackman5656]

I had no idea , so glad it was brought to the surface as I can relate to this so much! fern honestly you are such a blessing! all your podcast episodes are great and truly and eye opener. Your honesty about your own battles makes it a little more easy to accept about self . Keep up the amazing work I hope one day I can be a guest :D

[@neiljamcfarlane9614]

This is something that I can relate to, I related to this condition in 2017 and had a bi polar test at the local mental health team and they said I didn't have bi polar. But Cyclothymia the rare form is what I do think I have alongside with Borderline Personality Disorder which I hope to get confirmed with the Psychologists in a few weeks, first face to face appointment in over two years and not spoken to the main psychologist since September last year. Very little support out there which is shocking to say the least.