Cyclothymia is a mental health condition that causes ongoing mood swings between periods of mild highs (hypomanic symptoms) and mild lows (depressive symptoms). The swings are not severe enough, or do not last long enough, to be diagnosed as bipolar disorder.
Signs and symptoms
For a diagnosis, the mood changes usually need to have gone on for at least 2 years in adults (1 year in children and teenagers), with few breaks.
During highs you might:
- feel unusually cheerful, confident or irritable
- have lots of energy and need less sleep
- talk more and have lots of ideas
- take risks or spend more
During lows you might:
- feel low, tearful or hopeless
- lose interest in things
- feel tired and find it hard to concentrate
The changes can be unpredictable. They can affect relationships, work and studies, and people around you may find your moods hard to understand.
What causes it?
As with bipolar disorder, it is thought to be a mix of genes, brain chemistry and life events. It often starts in the teenage years or early adulthood.
Getting diagnosed
Talk to your GP. A mood diary kept for a few weeks can be very helpful. Your GP may refer you to a psychiatrist for assessment.
Common questions
Can cyclothymia turn into bipolar disorder?
For some people it can. Having cyclothymia increases the chance of developing bipolar disorder later, which is one reason why regular contact with your GP or mental health team is helpful.
Sources we used
We check this page at least once a year, and sooner when the rules change. Read how we check our facts, or tell us if something looks wrong.