Cyclothymic Mood Disorder and Social Security Disability
Understanding Cyclothymic disorder
Have you ever heard someone say, Im in a good mood, or Im in a bad mood? What is the meaning of mood? How can mood be defined? This could be a sign of cyclothymic disorder. Mood is a state of mind that goes on and continues for a long time. Mood is an internal, subjective state of mind. A mood disorder is a disorder that involves the state of your mind. Mood disorders are marked by something that is not considered to be normal with your mood or state of mind. A mood disorder is used in reference to mental disorders that are evidenced by periods of depression that sometimes go back and forth with periods of elevated mood. A mood disorder is a disorder in which your prevailing emotional mood or state of mind is inappropriate or distorted for the circumstances that you are in. Cyclothymic disorder, which is also referred to as cyclothymia, is a mood disorder. It is a mild kind of bipolar disorder. Cyclothymic disorder is characterized by emotional ups and downs. It is evidenced by mood swings in which you go from mild or moderate depression to excitement and euphoria. However, an important thing to remember is that during these mood swings, you stay in touch with reality. Cyclothymic disorder is a disorder that usually starts when you are in your late teens to early twenties. Cyclothymic disorder is a chronic (ongoing, long-lasting) disorder, even though you may experience periods in which for months at a time your mood is normal and stable. The exact cause of cyclothymic disorder is not known at the present time. As is true of many other mental disorders, the cause of cyclothymic disorder may result from a combination of factors that include your heredity, environment and your bodys biochemical processes, such as changes in your brain chemistry.Cyclothymic Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms that are produced by cyclothymic disorder are usually marked by an alternating pattern of emotional highs and lows. In this way, the signs and symptoms of cyclothymic disorder are like those of bipolar disorder, but they are not as severe. Some of the signs and symptoms of the hypomanic phase (highs) of the disorder are:- ? An extreme optimism
- ? A decreased need for sleep
- ? An increased drive to reach or achieve your goals
- ? An increase in your physical activity
- ? An inflated view of your self-esteem
- ? A state of euphoria (being cheerful or in an unusually good mood)
- ? A tendency to be easily distracted
- ? Being agitated
- ? Having an increase in your sexual drive
- ? Engaging in risky behavior
- ? Speaking rapidly
- ? Going on spending sprees
- ? Having racing thoughts
- ? Exercising poor judgment
- ? Having an inability to concentrate
- ? Exhibiting aggressive or hostile behavior.
- ? Having difficulty with your appetite and sleep
- ? Losing interest in your daily activities
- ? Irritability
- ? Fatigue
- ? Experiencing chronic pain when there is no discernable cause
- ? Anxiety
- ? Guilt
- ? Having suicidal thoughts or behavior
- ? Being sad
- ? Having a feeling of hopelessness
- ? A decrease in your sexual drive.
Related articles
- Cyclothymia and Bipolar Disorder (everydayhealth.com)
