Hey everyone

I know that I have "something" that has had a dramatic effect on me.

For years, I suspected that I "leaned towards having aspergers". But for the last few years I've been fixed on the idea that what I have is cyclothymia. I've tried to engage the mental health system on this, but have been fobbed off with CBT and to be honest, I've not been particularly good at engaging them in a constructive way either.

However, I've become close friends with an Aspie recently and he told me that I am an aspie. I have found it exhilarating to talk with someone who seems to know how I tick (although he talks alot and I can't get a word in sometimes, which can be a bit frustrating.)

The other thing is that I've just filled in the "Aspie-quiz" (link below), and some of questions refer to poor sleep pattern and excess enthusiasm--things I identified as cyclothymic. I'm starting to wonder wether I'm just aspie. Here are some of my "cyclothymic symptoms"...

*No decadian rhythm (I love being awake at night)

*An excess of creative energy

*The amount of sleep I need changes.

*Mood changes - actually I don't understand the word "mood". It's not like I go into a bad mood, it's more of a change in me. What I want to do changes. I go thru a cycle, that typically last 2 months or so.

*I have short periods of "depression", without aparent cause and I can out of these very quickly.

Anyone identify with these? Any thoughts on aspism v cyclothymia in general? Do they occur together for example, or am I just aspie?

Andy

http://www.rdos.net/eng/Aspie-quiz.php

What is Cyclothymia ? :/ I'm just curios ....

I have all of those except for "an excess of creative energy".

>What is Cyclothymia ? :/ I'm just curios

Being an Aspie, I just assumed everyone would know what it is that I'm talking about here:

"Cyclothymic disorder is a mild form of bipolar disorder (manic depressive illness) in which a person has mood swings over a period of years that go from mild depression to euphoria and excitement. "
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002517/

This post was last modified: 08-18-2012 08:32 AM by AngryDog.

I think I have all of those except mood changes.

Autism and Aspergers sets on in the early childhood, bi-polar etc. only later. How were you at age 3?

you sound like you may have traits of being bi-polar

I hope I don't have bi-polar.

Mood changes is by far the most central feature of bipolar. If you don't have that, then you almost certainly do not have bipolar.

states of mania or hypomania are hallmarks of bipolar.

OK good. I don't think I have mood changes.

Cyclothymia is basically like Bipolar Disorder and is a Bipolar Spectrum Disorder. I'm crappy at explaining things so it's better to just look it up.

Hey everyone

I know that I have "something" that has had a dramatic effect on me.

For years, I suspected that I "leaned towards having aspergers". But for the last few years I've been fixed on the idea that what I have is cyclothymia. I've tried to engage the mental health system on this, but have been fobbed off with CBT and to be honest, I've not been particularly good at engaging them in a constructive way either.

However, I've become close friends with an Aspie recently and he told me that I am an aspie. I have found it exhilarating to talk with someone who seems to know how I tick (although he talks alot and I can't get a word in sometimes, which can be a bit frustrating.)

The other thing is that I've just filled in the "Aspie-quiz" (link below), and some of questions refer to poor sleep pattern and excess enthusiasm--things I identified as cyclothymic. I'm starting to wonder wether I'm just aspie. Here are some of my "cyclothymic symptoms"...

*No decadian rhythm (I love being awake at night)

*An excess of creative energy

*The amount of sleep I need changes.

*Mood changes - actually I don't understand the word "mood". It's not like I go into a bad mood, it's more of a change in me. What I want to do changes. I go thru a cycle, that typically last 2 months or so.

*I have short periods of "depression", without aparent cause and I can out of these very quickly.

Anyone identify with these? Any thoughts on aspism v cyclothymia in general? Do they occur together for example, or am I just aspie?

Andy

http://www.rdos.net/eng/Aspie-quiz.php

I have been Dx'd Autistic as a child (1974), then "recovered." (Lovaas long story; I can pass for NT most of the time.)  
However, I've recently been Dx'd Bi-polar I and have many first degree relatives with mood disorders (mom had bipolar).  I think most of the mood stuff is on my mom's side, and most of the autie/aspie stuff comes from my dad's side.  He has a few "weird" relatives :-)

The ups are kinda fun, but the down suck suck SUCK.  Still adjusting though as I've only been labeled since late August.  Cyclothymia is just a milder form of Bipolar I/II for those ppl who are asking.  I probably had that before, but it never interfered with my life so no biggie.  When I went three weeks plus with 2-5  hours of sleep after normally requiring 8-9, I knew *something* was up.

Best wishes to you as you navigate this aspect of your life.
Lydia