The clinical picture of cyclothymia
Symptoms of cyclothymia are divided into two opposite groups: symptoms of “good mood” and symptoms of “bad mood”.
Symptoms of a good mood (phase of hyperthymia) are manifested by energy, hyperactivity (personal, household, social), mood elevation, enhanced performance. The patient is haunted by a feeling of constant well-being, which sometimes leads to an inadequate assessment of the environment. Sleep time is reduced. Of the clearly negative aspects of hyperthymia are familiarity, rude behavior, irritability, decreased concentration, fussiness. Hypomania is a condition in which the above symptoms are more pronounced than with hyperthymia, but less than with manic episodes.
Symptoms of a bad mood (phase of depression, dysthymia) are characterized by all the classic signs of ordinary depression, but they have a more erased course:
- Prolonged deterioration in mood;
- Declining interests in all areas;
- Cognitive impairment;
- Decrease in self-esteem, own abilities;
- Lack of exercise, anxiety;
- Bad sleep at night and sleepiness during the day;
- Lack of appetite;
- The occurrence of false pain and other symptoms from the internal organs (as somatoform reactions).
Cyclothymia, due to the nature of the clinical picture, rarely comes into the view of psychiatrists or psychotherapists. Very often, patients do not suspect that they have this mental disorder, since it practically does not affect the quality of life, does not impair professional skills, and is not noticeable to others. Moreover, an episode of high mood (especially the phase of hyperthymia) is very often perceived by a person as a period of complete well-being, to which one should strive.
Despite the relative harmlessness or even imaginary positivity of cyclothymia, this condition is a mental disorder and requires adequate treatment. Otherwise, there is a high probability of disease progression up to the occurrence of bipolar affective disorder or other severe mental pathology.
Cyclothymia treatment in the clinic to + 31
Cyclothymia treatment usually does not require hospitalization. All appointments of the attending doctor can be performed on an outpatient basis, however, this requires regular monitoring by a specialist. Inpatient conditions are indicated for patients who do not perform or violate the treatment regimen, as well as in the case of the need for active therapeutic actions. Otherwise, according to current recommendations, cyclothymia is treated on an outpatient basis and for a long time (at least 6 months).
The main task of psychotherapy with cyclothymia is to fully inform the patient about his health condition, about the need for treatment, despite the apparent well-being, about the adverse consequences in case of failure or in violation of the therapeutic regimen. In periods of low mood, when the symptoms of depression prevail, psychotherapy is aimed at supporting the patient, training in the fight against negative thoughts, and the prevention of suicides.
Although cyclothymia has a favorable course, drug therapy begins simultaneously with psychotherapy. The latter includes the appointment of antidepressants, which play a major role in relieving depressive episodes. The correct and constant intake of medicines from this group is the key to a speedy recovery. In addition to antidepressants, tranquilizers, nootropic drugs are prescribed. In the treatment of episodes of hyperthymia or hypomania, lithium preparations, anticonvulsants, antipsychotics are used.
