Which mood disorder is described as not meeting the full criteria of either bipolar I or bipolar II?

• A. Major depressive disorder
• B. Bipolar I
• C. Cyclothymic disorder
• D. Substance/medication induced mood disorder

Answer: (C)

Cyclothymic disorder involves chronic, mild mood fluctuations that do not reach the full criteria for manic, hypomanic, or major depressive episodes. Over at least two years in adults (one year in children or adolescents), a person experiences numerous periods of hypomanic-like symptoms and numerous periods of depressive symptoms, with these symptoms present for most days and for more days than not. There are no extended symptom-free periods longer than about two months, and the mood disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment. Critically, there have not been full manic, hypomanic, or major depressive episodes. This combination—persistent, moderate mood changes without meeting the full criteria for bipolar I or bipolar II—places cyclothymic disorder on the bipolar spectrum as a milder, chronic form.