Cyclothymic Disorder: Diagnostic Criteria

The essential feature of Cyclothymic Disorder is a chronic, fluctuating mood disturbance involving numerous periods of hypo manic symptoms and numerous periods of depressive symptoms. The hypo manic symptoms are of insufficient number, severity, pervasiveness, or duration to meet full criteria for a Manic Episode, and the depressive symptoms are of insufficient number, severity, pervasiveness, or duration to meet full criteria for a Major Depressive Episode. During the 2-year period (1 year for children and adolescents), any symptom-free intervals last no longer than 2 months. The diagnosis of Cyclothymic Disorder is made only if the initial 2-year period of cyclothymic symptoms is free of Major Depressive, Manic, and Mixed Episodes. After the initial 2 years of the Cyclothymic Disorder, Manic or Mixed Episodes may be superimposed on the Cyclothymic Disorder, in which case both Cyclothymic Disorder and Bipolar I Disorder are diagnosed.

Diagnostic criteria for Cyclothymic Disorder

For at least 2 years, the presence of numerous periods with hypo manic symptoms and numerous periods with depressive symptoms that do not meet criteria for a Major Depressive Episode.
Note: In children and adolescents, the duration must be at least 1 year.
During the above 2-year period (1 year in children and adolescents), the person has not been without the symptoms in A for more than 2 months at a time.
No Major Depressive Episode, Manic Episode, or Mixed Episode has been present during the first 2 years of the disturbance.

Cyclothymic Disorder (Criteria)

Frequent hypomanic episode and period of depressive symptoms that do not meet criteria for a Major Depressive Episode for 2 years
No major depressive, manic, or mixed episode during the first 2 years
Not due to a medical disorder/substance

After the first 2 years a 2nd diagnosis of Bipolar 1 or 2 Disorder may be made if warranted

Down-cast face: position of a depressed person’s face toward ground.

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