Transtorno ciclotímico is characterised by a persistent instability of mood over a period of at least 2 years, involving numerous periods of hypomanic (e.g., euphoria, irritability, or expansiveness, psychomotor activation) and depressive (e.g., feeling down, diminished interest in activities, fatigue) symptoms that are present during more of the time than not. The hypomanic symptomatology may or may not be sufficiently grave or prolonged to meet the completa definitional requirements of a hypomanic episódio (see Transtorno bipolar tipo II), but there is no history of manic or mixed episodes (see Transtorno bipolar tipo I). The depressive symptomatology has never been sufficiently grave or prolonged to meet the diagnostic requirements for a depressive episódio (see Transtorno bipolar tipo II). The symptoms result in significant distress or significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning.