Differences between Bipolar 1 Disorder and Cyclothymic Disorder Bipolar 1

Differences between Bipolar 1 Disorder and Cyclothymic Disorder Bipolar 1

Disorder and Cyclothymic Disorder are two related disorders within the bipolar spectrum of disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Bipolar 1 Disorder is characterized by one or more manic or mixed episodes, with or without major depressive episodes, while Cyclothymic Disorder is marked by chronic fluctuations in mood, with numerous periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms (Mazza et al., 2021). To receive a diagnosis of Bipolar 1 Disorder, an individual must have experienced at least one manic episode lasting for at least one week, which causes significant impairment in social, occupational, or other areas of functioning (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). In contrast, Cyclothymic Disorder is characterized by chronic, fluctuating mood disturbances, which involve numerous periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms that are not severe enough to meet the diagnostic criteria for a manic, hypomanic, or major depressive episode (Mazza et al., 2021). The primary difference between Bipolar 1 Disorder and Cyclothymic Disorder lies in the nature of the manic and depressive episodes. In Bipolar 1 Disorder, the manic episodes are typically more severe and debilitating than the hypomanic episodes seen in Cyclothymic Disorder (Gibson & Alloy, 2018). Additionally, major depressive episodes may also occur in Bipolar 1 Disorder and may be more severe than the depressive symptoms seen in Cyclothymic Disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). The duration of the mood episodes is also different, with manic episodes lasting at least one week in Bipolar 1 Disorder, while the hypomanic and depressive episodes in Cyclothymic disorder may last only a few days (Mazza et