Diagnostic Criteria for Cyclothymic Disorder

Diagnostic Criteria for Cyclothymic Disorder Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis Print Diagnostic Criteria for Cyclothymic Disorder By Marcia Purse Marcia Purse is a mental health writer and bipolar disorder advocate who brings strong research skills and personal experiences to her writing. Learn about our editorial policy Marcia Purse Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on December 03, 2019 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on January 24, 2020 Marcel ter Bekke / Getty Images More in Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis Symptoms Treatment Cyclothymia, or cyclothymic disorder, is a condition that involves moods cycling between  hypomania  and  depression. Though milder than bipolar disorder, cyclothymia is sometimes a precursor for bipolar I or II disorder. How Cyclothymic Disorder Is Diagnosed Criterion A from the Diagnostic and Statistical Handbook of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) defines cyclomania as: “For at least two years (at least one year in children and adolescents) there have been numerous periods with hypomanic symptoms that do not meet criteria for a hypomanic episode and numerous periods with depressive symptoms that do not meet criteria for a major depressive episode. Additional criteria for cyclothymic disorder in the DSM-5 are: B. During the above two-year period (one year in children and adolescents), the hypomanic and depressive periods have been present for at least half the time and the individual has not been without the symptoms for more than two months at a time.C. Criteria for a major depressive, manic, or hypomanic episode have never been met. [If such episodes appear later, the diagnosis would be changed to bipolar I or bipolar II disorder, as appropriate.]D. The symptoms aren’t better explained by another mental disorder.E. The symptoms aren’t caused by a substance (i.e., medication or drug of abuse) or another medical condition.F. The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. The specifier “with anxious distress” may be added to a diagnosis of cyclothymic disorder where anxiety is a significant factor. Other Considerations Cyclothymic disorder usually first appears in adolescents and young adults, and there’s a 15-50% risk that such an individual will develop full-fledged bipolar I or II disorder later.?? A genetic component has been found that increases the risk of developing cyclothymia, especially in first-degree relatives of individuals having mood disorders. The DSM-5 Updated How Bipolar Disorder Is Diagnosed