Cyclothymia: Through the Patient's Eyes
(5.1 Contact Hours)
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Written by: Rebecca Kazzaz Elhassid

To successfully complete this course and receive your certificate, you must read the content online, pass the post test with a 70% or better, and complete the online evaluation form.

The price of this course is $30.00. You will only be asked to pay for the course if you decide to grade the post examination to earn a certificate with contact hours.

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No planning committee member has indicated a relevant financial relationship with a commercial interest involved with the content contained in this course.

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Learning Objectives

After completion of Cyclothymia: Through the Patient's Eyes the participant will be able to:

1. Define and comprehend Cyclothymic Disorder
2. Analyze the complaints, symptoms and behaviors described by Cyclothymic or 
  suspected Cyclothymic patients
3. Identify the DSM-IV Guidelines symptoms of Cyclothymia
4. Differentiate between Cyclothymic Disorder and other mental health illnesses
5. Identify and differentiate the different medical treatments available for Cyclothymic
  patients
6. Demonstrate several non-medical treatments available for Cyclothymic patients
7. Illustrate the dangers associated with the disease, including comorbidity with drug
  abuse and deterioration into Bipolar Disorder
8. Employ methods of support for the family of a Cyclothymic individual
9. Examine the different theories of mood disorders and comprehend how they relate to
  Cyclothymia
10. Identify several positive aspects of Cyclothymic Disorder

 

Content Outline

I. Glossary

II. Background of Cyclothymic Individuals

     A. Will's story
     B. Karen's story

III. What is Cyclothymic Disorder?

     A. DSM-IV Guidelines
       i. Explanation of the guidelines
       ii. How patients differ from guidelines
     B. The difficulty of diagnosing Cyclothymia
     C. Medical problems may resemble Cyclothymia
     D. Family history of Cyclothymic patients
     E. The difference between Cyclothymia and Bipolar Disorder

IV. Day to Day Life: Cyclothymia before treatment

     A. Will's story
     B. Karen's story
     C. What Will and Karen have in common

V. What you Can Do: How to identify and help an individual with Cyclothymic Disorder

     A. The importance of treatment
     B. Medications
       i. What is used for Cyclothymia
       ii. The effects of medications
       iii. Side-effects of medications
     C. How to identify Cyclothymia
     D. Understanding the cycles
     E. Comorbidity with substance abuse
     F. Non-medical treatments for Cyclothymia

VI. Family Support: Advice you can give to help family members live with Cyclothymic individuals

     A. Education: Understanding the disorder
     B. Harbored anger and the importance of forgiveness
     C. Coping with a Cyclothymic individual
       i. Treating the illness with validation
       ii. Understanding the dangers
     D. The option of support groups
     E. Accepting the diagnosis

VII. Theories of Mood Disorders: The reason behind the confusion

     A. The Kindling Theory
       i. Understanding the Kindling Theory
       ii. How the Kindling Theory applies to Cyclothymia
     B. The Bipolar Spectrum Theory
       i. Understanding the Bipolar Spectrum Theory
       ii. How the Bipolar Spectrum Theory applies to Cyclothymia
     C. How these theories complicate diagnosis
     D. Mixed states and Cyclothymic Disorder

VIII. The Silver Lining: How you can help Cyclothymic patients accept and embrace aspects of their illness

     A. The relief of diagnosis
     B. Understanding the symptoms to understand past behaviors
     C. The application of a mood journal
     D. The positive sides of the disease

IX. Conclusion and Summary / The future for patients with Cyclothymic Disorder

     A. Overview of the illness
     B. Overview of the symptoms
     C. Overview of coping and treatment methods
     D. The future outlook for Cyclothymic patients

Cyclothymic Disorder is a chronic mood disorder consisting of severe and persistent mood swings. Although it is estimated that as much as 1 percent of the population may suffer from Cyclothymia, this disease has been given little attention through medical research. Many patients feel that even the professionals who treat them know little about their illness. This course is designed to help medical professionals gain a better understanding of this complex disorder. In addition to the medical research, eleven Cyclothymic individuals contributed information about their symptoms and experiences to this course in order to help you comprehend their illness from their perspective.