Cyclothymia Treatment in India

Ananya Kumar, a 28-year-old graphic designer,...

Ananya Kumar, a 28-year-old graphic designer, had always been known as 'moody' and 'unpredictable.' Her creative energy would soar for weeks, followed by periods of self-doubt and social withdrawal. She dismissed it as artistic temperament, but the instability began affecting her freelance career and relationships. Her symptoms included brief hypomanic phases of boundless energy, racing ideas, and decreased need for sleep, which would crash into mild depressive episodes lasting days, marked by low energy, pessimism, and feeling overwhelmed by daily tasks. Her new psychiatrist, after a detailed longitudinal assessment, diagnosed Cyclothymia, explaining it as a chronic, fluctuating mood disorder. The doctor recommended a combination of mood-stabilizing medication (starting with a low dose of lamotrigine) and psychotherapy, specifically Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), to help her recognize patterns and develop coping strategies. The treatment experience was gradual; finding the right medication dose took patience, and therapy challenged her to reframe her thoughts. In post-procedure recovery, after six months, Ananya's mood swings became less severe and frequent. She developed a 'wellness toolkit' of routines, sleep hygiene, and early warning signs. Emotionally, her journey shifted from confusion and self-blame ('Why can't I just be normal?') to understanding and self-compassion. She now sees her cyclothymia not as a flaw but as a manageable part of her life, leading to greater stability in her work and personal connections.