Cyclothymia Was First Identified in 1877, Affects as Many as 3 Million Americans, and It Wreaks Havoc on the Well-Being, Relationships, and Careers of those Who Have It

Yet, you’ve probably never heard of it. Cyclothymia is a mood disorder that’s characterized by mood swings intense enough to overwhelm someone’s life but not extreme enough to be considered symptoms of bipolar disorder. Sufferers cycle between episodes of depression and hypomania, a low-grade form of mania. They are rarely free of symptoms for more than two months at a time, and their “moodiness” often costs them relationships, jobs, and peace of mind. Research tells us that up to 50 percent of those diagnosed with cyclothymia will develop full-blown bipolar disorder, and until 1980 it was classified as a personality disorder instead of a mood disorder. Although it is recognized as a scientifically valid diagnosis, clinicians are still inclined to misdiagnose it. This is due to several factors, among them the fact that people with cyclothymia may not know they have a treatable condition, so they often don’t seek help in the first place. Also, it is common for cyclothymia to be misdiagnosed as a major depressive disorder because the “up” phases of the disorder may be perceived as normal behavior rather than the episodes of hypomania.

The Cyclothymia Workbook by Prentiss Price, Ph.D., is the first-ever book to address this overlooked condition. Price not only helps readers to determine whether or not they have symptoms of cyclothymia, she gives them a complete plan for coping with symptoms and working with mental health professionals. Here’s just some of what she offers:

• Information for differentiating between ordinary moodiness and cylcothymia;

• a complete symptoms checklist to use with your doctor, so that you can get the right diagnosis;

• self-help techniques for managing extreme moods and an understanding of the available medications;

• skills for managing relationships and keeping your illness from causing them irreparable harm;

• an overview of what the research currently tells us about the causes of cylcothymia; and

• a primer on the most effective treatments.

For more information e-mail Earlita Chenault or call 510-652-0215, x142.