The doctor warned about the hidden danger of mood swings

Mood swings can be not only a reaction to stress or fatigue, but also a sign of cyclothymia, a chronic mood disorder that can turn into bipolar disorder. Ekaterina Demyanovskaya, a neurologist and expert at the Hemotest laboratory, told Izvestia about this on May 18.

"Cyclothymia is a cyclical mood disorder in which a person has periods of emotional uplift and mood decline for a long time (two years or longer). At the same time, the symptoms are usually less pronounced than with classical bipolar disorder, so many people have not seen a doctor for years, considering their condition to be a character trait or a reaction to stress," Demyanovskaya said.

The main difference between cyclothymia and the usual mood swings, the doctor called the regularity and duration of emotional changes. During periods of recovery, a person may become overly active, talkative, experience a surge of energy, sleep less, and overestimate their abilities. Then the state is replaced by an emotional decline with apathy, anxiety, internal exhaustion and problems with concentration.

"People with cyclothymia do not always perceive their condition as a disease. This is especially true for periods of emotional uplift, which may subjectively seem productive and even enjoyable. However, it is precisely the instability of the emotional state that over time can lead to chronic stress, conflicts, sleep problems and emotional burnout," explained Demyanovskaya.

The personnel Revolution: what will change for doctors and patients in 2026

The Ministry of Health proposes to introduce new medical directions and to abandon some outdated positions.

An additional complication, according to the expert, is that cyclothymia is often confused with anxiety disorder, overwork, or temperamental peculiarities. Often, a person seeks help only during a period of marked emotional decline, without associating it with previous phases of increased activity.

The doctor warned that ignoring the symptoms could lead to deterioration, emotional burnout, relationship problems, and alcohol abuse. In addition, cyclothymia eventually develops into bipolar disorder with full-fledged episodes of depression and hypomania in some patients.

"It is very important to pay attention to recurring cycles of mood changes if they persist for a long time and interfere with daily life. The reason for contacting a doctor may be sudden fluctuations in energy, sleep disorders, impulsive behavior, emotional instability and difficulties in controlling one's condition," the specialist emphasized.

According to Demyanovskaya, cyclothymia is amenable to correction. Treatment usually includes psychotherapy, normalization of sleep and rest patterns, stress reduction, and the development of emotional self-regulation skills. In some cases, patients may be prescribed medication to stabilize their mood.

Demyanovskaya said on May 13 that the patient's emotional state directly affects the effectiveness of cancer treatment, the tolerability of therapy and the quality of life. The specialist noted that psychoncology considers psychological support as an important part of comprehensive treatment. As the doctor emphasized, the relationship between the patient's emotional state, commitment to therapy and the prognosis of the disease has been confirmed. At the same time, a positive attitude cannot replace full-fledged treatment and does not guarantee the absence of relapses.