Anyone else with Cyclothymia?

Hi guys and gals! I have what the pdoc and my shrink call Cyclothymia on top of other things. I was wondering if anyone else has it. Im curious how long the ups and downs last. I know they are different for everyone but Im just curious! Thanks and Im glad to be back here! I was gone for awhile but I am back!

I don't but I just want to welcome you back to PC.

I do not but welcome back!

Thank you both! Its good to be back!!

The ups and downs vary, to my knowledge.
I want to welcome you back to PC!

WC

Thank you very much! Yes, they do vary from person to person. Mine are pretty swift. LOL I thankfully have them pretty much under control, knock on wood.

So what's the difference between cyclothymia and borderline?

I'm also really curious to hear an explanation of the difference between cyclothymia and borderline. Borderline is the bane of my existence at work, and it annoys me to no end when other nurses say bipolar. Luckily most are aware of the difference. I'm bipolar ll, so they really only recognize the type l.
Cyclothymia vs mixed state? Truly curious.

I am honestly just as curious as you guys! I need a professional to help with that! Its something Im curious about as well. I am a part of this board to try and get info too! I have tons of the same symptoms as Borderline but both my Pdoc and my T both say its Cyclothymia. I can ask them the difference when I see them next!

Any professionals around that could help?

I strongly suspect my husband may have cyclothymia. Look at my recent post about going about a natural approach for it.

Do you take meds? If so, what kind? Thanks! I'm trying to convince my husband to get help or at least try something natural to help him.

It seems like the main difference has to do with what causes the change in mood - are you reacting to the world (in an 'abnormal' way) or is your brain just free-styling? But it's really confusing because sometimes it's hard to tell the difference. For example, I may totally overreact to something that happens to me either because I have a personality disorder, or because I'm in a (bipolar) mood that makes me more sensitive/upset/irritable in that moment. And if you're ultra-rapid cycling, how do you really know if the mood or the trigger came first?

I'm curious: how do you experience cyclothymia? Does this mean your moods don't dip down into full-on DSM-defined depression? Or that they do, but it just doesn't last as long?

In my case my highs and lows do not go as high and as low to be full blown bipolar. They also dont last very long. I am so glad that I made this thread because I can relate to a LOT of the Borderline traits. I can def see how they are close. My moods tend to swing for no apparent reason but at other times they are due to outside forces. I am def bringing this up with my pdoc and therapist!

Thanks for your input! I appreciate it!!

Hello there! I havent gotten a chance to look at your post but I will! I am currently on Lamictal, Prozac and Klonopin. My moods are pretty well balanced for the most part. I am curious about the natural approach! See you there! LOL

I think another key differentiator is that borderline is rooted in intense shame and fear of abandonment, which is a lot of the reason for the sudden mood shift

Hello!!
Thanks for this thread, I'm loving it! I was just diagnosed on the bipolar spectrum a month ago, and cyclothymia is a thing my doctor is considering. I can definitely identify with a lot of the borderline traits!! Very reassuring that I'm not the only one. I have asked several doctors if I could actually be borderline, and the best explanation I have heard so far for why I am not is that when you're borderline your mood swings are only brought on by external events, whereas I just wake up depressed some days and hypo on others.

However, I have had 2 major depressions, which technically disqualifies me from cyclothymia, while the short duration/lower intensity of my hypomania technically disqualifies me from BP II. Agh it's so frustrating! This diagnosis thing is so confusing!

Actually, are you on meds for cyclothymia? My doctor doesn't quite know what to prescribe because my mood swings are usually not severe enough to require lithium etc. and she's very hesitant to prescribe that and other strong mood stabilisers

Hello! Yes, it is very confusing! My doc has me on a low dose, 100mg of Lamictal. Im also on Prozac and Klonopin. My swings are pretty well stabalized for the most part. *knock on wood* My anxiety is a whole other story! LOL

Good luck and I am here if you want to talk!

Thank you! I'm glad that you have something that works for the mood swings, your doc sounds very sensible! Yeah I'm struggling with anxiety as well, not very fun.
I think I'll ask about trying Lamictal cause I've heard so many positive things about it.

Good luck and Im here if you want to talk!