Cyclothymic?

Can you experience suicidal depression within cyclothymia?

These are what episodes look like:

1 week of cycling between hypomania, baseline and mild depression.

So like this: DAY 1: 1 pm; hypomanic, 2 pm; normal; 8 pm; hypomanic 10pm; empty, mild depression etc.
This lasts for a week then I crash into suicidal depression.

I found out this week that it’s not normal (in the context of BP), to cycle out of hypomania so quickly. I assumed other BP people had (hypo)mania for 30 minutes then felt normal for hours and get elevated again. I learned that this possibly rapid cycling. Especially this week where I’ve cycled from mildly depressed to mildly hypomanic a few times a day.

However what confuses me is this: apparently, rapid cycling is uncommon for BP’s and even more so for non-cyclothymics. I’ve noticed that cyclothymics seem to experience shorter cycles than people with full-on BP, correct me if I’m wrong. I’m also confused because I also cycle into a very very mild state of depression and crash into suicidal depression much later. So this begs the question, am I cyclothymic or just “lucky” enough to have the supposedly super rare ultra-radian type cycling?

Also before people point me to BPD because I cycle quickly, just a heads up but I was kinda cleared for that. 3 mental health professionals diagnosed me as bipolar, so I doubt I have a PD. But who knows...

to me, the main issue in your question is not the nuances of behavior that occur within Cyclothymia.

I'm concerned about your mention of thoughts of suicide.
It is essential that you talk to someone.
Look up the local resources for yourself on the internet.
Maybe their is an anonymous crisis line you can phone.
Maybe there is a support group you can join.
Maybe there are just good blogs to read that will help you deal with those feelings.

Look after yourself. If you don't have anyone to talk to, then look for help online.
But do get help. It is worth it.

If Cyclothymia and suicidal thoughts are happening at the same time, the suicidal thoughts are way more important than the Cyclothymia.

I have BPD and I can easily change my mood within the hour. It's usually triggered by an event, thought, or image. The bipolar sets the stage, the BPD is the acts within it.

skilsaw wrote:to me, the main issue in your question is not the nuances of behavior that occur within Cyclothymia.

I'm concerned about your mention of thoughts of suicide.
It is essential that you talk to someone.
Look up the local resources for yourself on the internet.
Maybe their is an anonymous crisis line you can phone.
Maybe there is a support group you can join.
Maybe there are just good blogs to read that will help you deal with those feelings.

Look after yourself. If you don't have anyone to talk to, then look for help online.
But do get help. It is worth it.

If Cyclothymia and suicidal thoughts are happening at the same time, the suicidal thoughts are way more important than the Cyclothymia.

I appreciate the concern but I rarely experience suicidal ideation once I got my meds. And I have access to a therapist and psychiatrist. I was diagnosed with schizoaffective bipolar but I was wonder if I could be cyclothymic under the bipolar. It’s confusing

*mod edit*

skilsaw wrote:to me, the main issue in your question is not the nuances of behavior that occur within Cyclothymia.

I'm concerned about your mention of thoughts of suicide.
It is essential that you talk to someone.
Look up the local resources for yourself on the internet.
Maybe their is an anonymous crisis line you can phone.
Maybe there is a support group you can join.
Maybe there are just good blogs to read that will help you deal with those feelings.

Look after yourself. If you don't have anyone to talk to, then look for help online.
But do get help. It is worth it.

If Cyclothymia and suicidal thoughts are happening at the same time, the suicidal thoughts are way more important than the Cyclothymia.

I appreciate the concern but I rarely experience suicidal ideation once I got my meds. And I have access to a therapist and psychiatrist. I was diagnosed with schizoaffective bipolar but I was wonder if I could be cyclothymic under the bipolar. It’s confusing

Everyone presents differently. Once you have a diagnosis on the spectrum, they are usually treated similarly so once you find the right medications, your moods should smooth out. I wouldn't be concerned about whether it's a Bipolar or Cyclothymic presentation. Stressful events, other drugs or alcohol may also cause fluctuations of mood. Not sure if you are struggling with those also.

iabsurdlyexist wrote:Everyone presents differently. Once you have a diagnosis on the spectrum, they are usually treated similarly so once you find the right medications, your moods should smooth out. I wouldn't be concerned about whether it's a Bipolar or Cyclothymic presentation. Stressful events, other drugs or alcohol may also cause fluctuations of mood. Not sure if you are struggling with those also.

Good points, Absurdly.