What defines cyclothymic disorder?

Cyclothymic disorder is characterized by a chronic pattern of mood instability involving numerous periods of hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms that do not meet the criteria for a full hypomanic episode or a major depressive episode. For a diagnosis, these mood changes must persist for at least 2 years in adults (1 year in children and adolescents). Patients with cyclothymic disorder experience fluctuations between periods of mild mood elevation and mild depression, which are not as severe or long-lasting as those seen in bipolar I or bipolar II disorder.

The essence of cyclothymic disorder lies in its chronic nature and the specific requirement for these symptoms to be present for an extended period. This diagnosis highlights the importance of distinguishing these milder, yet persistent, mood changes from more extreme mood disorders, where the severity and duration of episodes vary significantly.