A 50-year-old woman experiences 2 years of numerous periods of hypomanic symptoms and numerous depressive symptoms, none of which meet full criteria for a hypomanic or major depressive episode. She has never been symptom-free for more than 2 months. The DSM-5 diagnosis is:
- A Cyclothymic disorder ✓
- B Bipolar II disorder
- C Dysthymia (persistent depressive disorder)
- D Bipolar I disorder, mixed features
Correct answer: A. Cyclothymic disorder
Explanation
Cyclothymic disorder requires at least 2 years (1 year in children/adolescents) of numerous periods with hypomanic symptoms and numerous periods with depressive symptoms that do not meet full criteria for a hypomanic or major depressive episode, with no symptom-free period exceeding 2 months. It is a subclinical but impairing condition representing the 'soft bipolar spectrum.' Dysthymia involves only depressive symptoms. Bipolar II requires at least one full hypomanic episode. Cyclothymia is a risk factor for developing bipolar I or II disorder.
Reference: Kaplan & Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry, 11th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.