Bipolar Disorder vs. Cyclothymia

Key Differences

Mood swings
Bipolar Disorder: Core
Cyclothymia: Core
Explanation: In bipolar disorder, mood shifts are more likely to come in intense, distinct episodes, while in cyclothymia they tend to feel like a more ongoing pattern of milder ups and downs.
Hearing voices that others don't
Bipolar Disorder: Common
Cyclothymia: Not Characteristic
Explanation: Hearing voices can occur during more severe bipolar episodes, but it is not a typical feature of cyclothymia.
Suicidal thoughts or attempts
Bipolar Disorder: Core
Cyclothymia: Associated
Explanation: Bipolar disorder is more strongly linked with severe episodes where suicidal thoughts may become prominent, while in cyclothymia this is less central.
Inflated self-worth
Bipolar Disorder: Core
Cyclothymia: Associated
Explanation: In bipolar disorder, a sharply inflated sense of confidence or importance may stand out during elevated episodes, while in cyclothymia it is usually less intense and less defining.
Sleeping too much
Bipolar Disorder: Core
Cyclothymia: Associated
Explanation: Bipolar depressive episodes may involve marked increases in sleep, whereas sleep changes in cyclothymia are typically milder and less central.

Key Similarities

Symptom How it is similar
Difficulty concentrating Both bipolar disorder and cyclothymia can involve periods where focus becomes harder during mood changes.
Easily distracted Both can include distractibility that comes and goes with shifts in mood or energy.
Feeling emotionally overwhelmed Both may involve times when emotions feel harder to manage or contain.
Difficulty maintaining close relationships Both can affect relationships when changing mood, energy, or emotional reactions make consistency more difficult.
Difficulty maintaining close relationships Both conditions can create strain in close relationships because mood changes may affect communication, availability, and emotional steadiness.

Most often taken Self-Assessments

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