Extreme optimism Inflated self-esteem High energy despite not sleeping Racing thoughts Extreme distraction Excessive physical activity Irritability or agitation
Feeling sad or hopeless Loss of interest in activities Feeling worthless Sleeping problems Eating too much or too little Fatigue, feeling slowed down Tearfulness
For example, you may wake up feeling teary and not know the cause of your tears. Later, you may feel intense joy or elation with no distinct cause. You may experience sudden mood changes with no specific trigger. Try to keep track of your moods and see if you can identify a pattern. You may not notice daily swings, but this will help you observe changes over weeks and months. Keeping track of moods is also important because many people don’t notice hypomania or like the energy and euphoria. Since they only find it hard to function during down periods, there is a risk of misdiagnosis.
If you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, reach out for help. Call emergency services, or go to the emergency department. Call for support, too, which can include a friend or family member, medical doctor, or therapist. Check out How to Convince Yourself Not to Commit Suicide. If you’d like to talk to someone about your suicidal thoughts, reach out to a hotline. In the USA, call or text 988. In the UK, call +44 (0) 8457 90 90 90. In Australia, call +61 2 9262 1130.
Keep track of your symptoms. You may want to start a mood journal to track your symptoms.
Symptoms tend to be consistently present, even though they cycle frequently. Cyclothymia typically onsets in adolescence or early adulthood. It can also begin in childhood. It appears equally in men and women.
While these changes are not as severe as Bipolar disorder, they do affect your day-to-day living.
Be ready for an honest answer from those around you. Keep in mind that you’re gaining information and that the responses are not a personal attack on you. Keep an open mind and thank the person for being honest.
Visit a local mental health clinic or call your insurance provider to meet with a therapist. You can also ask for recommendations from friends or family members, look at reviews online, and ask others from a support group.
Bring up any concerns you have regarding your symptoms or diagnosis.
Your therapist may track your moods and symptoms closely over time, as cyclothymia may progress to Bipolar disorder. [12] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
He or she may also ask you about your lifestyle habits such as sleep, diet, and exercise, and how these affect your moods. You might also be asked if you use drugs and, if so, what triggers you to use. Some medical illnesses that can lead to mood disorders include neurological disorders (like Alzheimer’s disease or Huntington’s disease), heart attacks, problems with the pancreas or thyroid, and cancer.
