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Diagnostic Criteria for Cyclothymic Disorder

For at least 2 years, the presence of numerous periods with hypomanic symptoms and numerous periods with depressive symptoms that do not meet criteria for a Major Depressive Episode. Note: In children and adolescents, the duration must be at least 1 year.
During the above 2-year period (1 year in children and adolescents), the person has not been without the symptoms in Criterion A for more than 2 months at a time.
No Major Depressive Episode, Manic Episode, or Mixed Episode has been present during the first 2 years of the disturbance.
The symptoms in Criterion A are not better accounted for by Schizoaffective Disorder and are not superimposed on Schizophrenia, Schizophreniform Disorder, or Psychotic Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.
The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism).
The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

Source: APA, 1994.