What is the difference between bipolar disorder and cyclothymia?

Answer by  grammybarbj (572)

Cyclothymia and bipolar disorder are the same disease. Cyclothymai is just a milder form of it. Both consist of mood swings from deep depression to extreme highs.

Answer by  tamarawilhite (17883)

Cyclothymia is a mild form of bipolar disorder. It is different from full bipolar disorder in that the patient is never psyschotic or violent and knows what is real.

Answer by  Kath (1537)

Cyclothymia is a milder version of bipolar disorder, and that it is difference. It is a matter of degree of the problem. Cyclothymia is not as severe.

Answer by  mgoodman (204)

Cyclothymia is a weaker, milder version of bipolar disorder with milder highs and lows. Bipolar I disorder has more extreme highs and lows, while Bipolar II disorder has extremely dangerous depressions and more cyclothymic-type highs, called hypomania. Cyclothymia usually does well with medication, but could also use some cognitive therapy. Sometimes we think ourselves into and out of situations.