A mmmmmm moment at the psych. docs office .....

OK .. so we had a mmmmm moment at the psychologist yesterday ..... and well this may be way off tangent ..  and it's only an idea of his  ....but he mentioned .. Cyclothymia.. and looking at a lot of the hypomanic signs I could almost tick off most of them off some days .. and some of them are sooo not like me in a normal frame of mind ....So what on earth is it ....  well ..

Cyclothymia

Cyclothymia is a condition marked by many of the symptoms of bipolar disorders, namely manic highs and depressive lows. Yet unlike bipolar symptoms, which are often extreme and thus more easily diagnosable and treatable, symptoms of cyclothymia can be readily attributable to mood swings.Unfortunately, these mood swings aren't benign. They can have lasting consequences for jobs, relationships and one's health. Recognizing the signs and practicing self-care will help you manage your cyclothymia without relying on medication.

Signs of Cyclothymia

The most common sign of this condition is mood instability. Cyclothymics easily swing from a joyous, elated, overly talkative temperament to a gloomy, sluggish and dark one. Unlike bipolar moods, which tend to last weeks or months, cyclothymics can shift their emotional states from day to day. When manic, they may sleep little; when depressed, they may express the wish to sleep forever. Manic states tend to lead to excessive alcohol use, drug taking or sexual experimentation. (This isn't me luckily ..lol)During depression, cyclothymics become hermit-like, resisting work routines and social functions. They may gain and lose enthusiasm rapidly, whether it be for projects, jobs or relationships. A calm, normal state of functioning is never present for more than two months at a time.

Treatment for Cyclothymia

The medications that have been found to work with the more severe mood disorders often have no effect on cyclothymia or can worsen manic periods. If medication is required, lithium and its varients are generally prescribed. Although in a relatively high percentage of cases, cyclothymia has been known to eventually become a bipolar disorder, a condition more likely to require medication, in its milder form, other options are available.

1. Maintain a Routine

Creating a structure for your day surrounding regular times for work, meals, exercise and social activity is very important. Your mood swings can be anchored by these predictable schedules.

2. Pay Attention to Your Moods

Keep a journal and note down how your mood shifts on a daily basis. List how the mania or depression affected your ability to function effectively. Pay special attention to how your swings negatively affected your job, relationship or health.

3. Practice Self-Care

Along with eating healthy food, taking vitamins and exercising every day, take caution to avoid the triggers of dangerous practices and environments. Try not to drink or take drugs. If you're manic, don't place yourself in a situation that may lead to risky sexual behavior. If you're depressed, avoid locations that lead to suicidal ideation. Surround yourself by comforting, familiar people and environments if possible.Use positive affirmation. Resist blame, guilt or acts of revenge against yourself or others. Cyclothymia is manageable without medication, especially with the support of loved ones.

from the Mayo Clinic

- Symptoms

Cyclothymia symptoms are characterized by an alternating pattern of emotional highs and lows. The highs of cyclothymia are called hypomania, a milder form of mania. The lows consist of mild or moderate depression. And with cyclothymia, you don't lose contact with reality, as you might with bipolar disorder.The symptoms of cyclothymia are generally similar to those of bipolar disorder, but they're less severe and episodes don't last as long.Hypomanic phase of cyclothymic disorderSigns and symptoms of hypomanic episodes of cyclothymia may include:

• Unusually good mood or cheerfulness (euphoria)


• Extreme optimism


• Inflated self-esteem


• Poor judgment


• Rapid speech


• Racing thoughts


• Aggressive or hostile behavior


• Being inconsiderate of others


• Agitation


• Increased physical activity


• Risky behavior


• Spending sprees


• Increased drive to perform or achieve goals


• Increased sexual drive


• Decreased need for sleep


• Tendency to be easily distracted


• Inability to concentrate

Depressive phase of cyclothymic disorderSigns and symptoms of depressive episodes of cyclothymia may include:

• Sadness


• Hopelessness


• Suicidal thoughts or behavior


• Anxiety


• Guilt


• Sleep problems


• Appetite problems


• Fatigue


• Loss of interest in daily activities


• Problems concentrating


• Irritability


• Chronic pain without a known cause

When you have cyclothymia, you can typically function in your daily life, although not always well. The unpredictable nature of mood shifts can significantly disrupt your life because you never know how you're going to feel, and you can't just will yourself to live life on an even keel.Sometimes you may have periods where you feel both hypomania and depression, called mixed episodes. At times, you may be extravagant, showering people with gifts. Other times, you may engage in senseless arguments.

Coping and support

Coping with cyclothymia can be difficult. Medications can have unwanted side effects, and you may feel angry or resentful about having a serious condition that requires lifelong treatment. During periods when you feel better, or during hypomanic episodes, you may be tempted to stop your cyclothymia treatment. Here are some ways to cope with cyclothymic disorder:

• Learn about cyclothymia. Learning about your condition and its possible complications can empower you and motivate you to stick to your treatment plan.


• Join a support group. Support groups for people with cyclothymia or even bipolar disorder can help you reach out to others facing similar challenges.


• Stay focused on your goals. Recovery from cyclothymic disorder can take time. Stay motivated by keeping your recovery goals in mind and reminding yourself that you can work to repair damaged relationships, work problems, financial woes or other issues.


• Find healthy outlets. Explore healthy ways to channel your energy, such as hobbies, exercise and recreational activities.


• Learn relaxation and stress management. Try such stress-reduction techniques as meditation, yoga or tai chi.

This is from WikiA persistently unstable mood, involving many periods of mild depression and mild elation. This instability usually develops in late adolescence and follows a chronic course, although moods may be within norms for months at a time. Mood swings are usually perceived by the individual as being unrelated to life events.The diagnosis is difficult to establish without a prolonged period of observation or an unusually good account of the individual's past behaviour. Because the mood swings are relatively mild and the episodes of mood elevation may be enjoyable, cyclothymia frequently fails to come to medical attention.In some cases this may be because the mood change, although present, is less prominent than cyclical changes in activity, self-confidence, sociability, or appetitive behaviour. If required, age of onset may be specified as early (in late teenage or the twenties) or later.The essential feature is a persistent instability of mood, involving numerous periods of mild depression and mild elation, none of which has been sufficiently severe or prolonged to fulfill the criteria for bipolar disorder or recurrent depressive disorder. This implies that individual episodes of mood swings do not fulfill the criteria for any of the categories described under manic episode or major depressive episode.

Mmmmmmmmmmm !.. at least mindfulness will help with it .. and I have a new "idea" to add to the rest ..lol.