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Mood swings that
accompany Bipolar Disorder
Mood swings and Bipolar Disorder
 Many individuals
experience subsyndromal bipolar mood swings over an extended period of
time without major mood episodes, and are subsequently diagnosed with
cyclothymic disorder. The mood swings associated with
cyclothymic disorder include the presence of numerous periods of
hypomanic symptoms (less severe form of mania) for at least two years
with numerous periods of depressive symptoms. With children and
adolescents the duration must be at least one year. Also, the
individual must have these mood swings numerous times over this period
of time without mania or major depression. The symptoms cannot be
considered to be schizophrenic related symptoms and cannot be the
direct physiological effects of substance abuse. Also, there must be
significant distress or impairment in social, occupational and/or
other important areas of functioning to be associated with these mood
swings and to be a diagnosable disorder.
Much less is known
about this milder form of mood swings referred to as cyclothymic
disorder, and people have a tendency to present much less frequently
for treatment than those with full-blown bipolar disorder. At various
times, cyclothymic disorder has actually been considered to be related
more to an individual's temperament and possibly a personality
disorder. Most of the available data however, concludes that
cyclothymic disorder is indeed related to more severe bipolar
disorders. However, it is not currently known to what degree these
types of mood swings are related to underlying dimensional
characteristics such as temperament, however vaguely we may define
that construct.
Mood swings and Mood disorders:
Mood disorders are
much more than the typical mood swings. Mood episodes are related to
symptoms appearing over discrete periods of time, beginning over days
or weeks, which eventually end after this period of time with
relatively distinct onset and offset, resulting in altered feelings,
thoughts and behaviors. In most cases, these symptoms are usually more
intense resulting in depressive episodes, mania or mixed episodes, or
the occurrence of only manic or mixed episodes.
Major depression is much more than a mood swing:
Major depressive
disorders are discrete periods of depressed or low moods or loss of
interest or pleasure in life, which must last for at least two weeks,
but can endure for weeks, months, or even years. These depressive
symptoms are often accompanied by changes in sleep, appetite,
judgment, energy and cognition. The depressive episodes associated
with bipolar disorder are absolutely indistinguishable from those
associated with major depressive disorder. About half of the
individuals with bipolar disorder experience depressive episodes which
include symptoms such as decreased sleep and appetite, whereas about
half may experience more "atypical" symptoms of increased sleep and
appetite. However, you also need to recall from the previous page
that a differential diagnosis between major depressive and bipolar
disorder is not made by cross-sectional symptom analysis but by a
longitudinal course.
See the previous page on differential
diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
From DSM-IV-TR Mental
Disorders: Diagnosis, Etiology and Treatment by Michael B. First and
Allan Tasman
Additional information and
webpage by
Paul Susic MA Licensed Psychologist Ph.D Candidate
(Health Psychology)
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