Cyclothymic disorder, bipolar I and bipolar II are all intense mood disorders, the first being rare, that do affect the overall emotional states of individuals in varying degrees. Cyclothymic disorder is a mood disorder, yet less severe in individuals than that of bipolar I or II disorder. With cyclothymic disorder, the individual experiences up and down mood shifts and between such feel emotionally fine and stable; this is not unlike bipolar I and II disorder. The difference lies in that these up and down mood shifts are less intense and less extreme than bipolar I and II disorder. The intensity in these feelings are what separates cyclothymic disorder from bipolar I and II disorder; per Everyday Health, people with cyclothymic disorder will experience low-grade depression and mania as opposed to people with bipolar I and II who experience high-grade and major depression with clinically diagnosed mania.
Bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder, however, are both characterized by frequent manic and major depressive episodes. Per the Mayo Clinic, criteria for bipolar I disorder involves at least one manic episode, preceded by or followed by major depressive/hypomanic episodes. Bipolar Ii disorder is based on a major depressive episode of two weeks minimum and a hypomanic episode of at least four days. Bipolar I and II disorder can often accompany other anxiety or mood disorders, physically health issues and addiction or substance abuse problems. With each of these three mood disorders, their exact causes are unknown. As with most, if not all, mood disorders, causes can be attributed to biological and chemical imbalances, genes, neurotransmitters and even the onset of other anxiety or mood disorders. While only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis, the symptoms of bipolar disorder and depression dramatically reduce the quality of life. While these symptoms also present in cyclothymic disorder, they are less disruptive to daily life.
- Hook, Debra-Lynn B. What Is Cyclothymia?. Everyday Health. http://www.everydayhealth.com/cyclothymia/guide/. Accessed Dec. 27, 2016.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. Causes. Mayo Clinic. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/basics/causes/con-20027544. Accessed Dec. 27, 2016.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. Risk factors. Mayo Clinic. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/basics/risk-factors/con-20027544. Accessed Dec. 27, 2016.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. Symptoms. Mayo Clinic. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/basics/symptoms/con-20027544. Accessed Dec. 27, 2016.
