Dysphoria

Not to be confused with Diaphoresis.

Dysphoria (from Greek: δύσφορος (dysphoros), δυσ-, difficult, and φέρειν, to bear) is a profound state of unease or dissatisfaction. In a psychiatric context, dysphoria may accompany depression, anxiety, or agitation. It can also mean someone that is not comfortable in their current body, particularly in cases of gender dysphoria. Common reactions to dysphoria include emotional distress or indifference. The opposite state of mind is known as euphoria.

In psychiatry

Intense states of distress and unease increase the risk of suicide, as well as being unpleasant in themselves. Relieving dysphoria is therefore a priority of psychiatric treatment. One may treat underlying causes such as depression or bipolar disorder as well as the dysphoric symptoms themselves.

Gender dysphoria

Main article: Gender dysphoria

Gender dysphoria is discomfort, unhappiness, or distress due to one's gender or physical sex. The current edition (DSM-5) of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders uses the term "gender dysphoria" in preference to "gender identity disorder". DSM-5 introduces the term "gender incongruence" as a better identifying and less stigmatising term.

Related conditions

The following conditions may include dysphoria as a symptom:

• Major depressive disorder (unipolar) and dysthymia
• Bipolar disorder and cyclothymia
• Borderline personality disorder
• Premenstrual syndrome
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
• Stress
• Adjustment disorder with depressed mood
• Anxiety disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder
• Dissociative disorders such as dissociative identity disorder, dissociative amnesia, and depersonalization disorder.
• Mixed anxiety-depressive disorder
• Gender dysphoria, sometimes diagnosed as "gender identity disorder" (the latter term and its identification with gender dysphoria is controversial)
• Personality disorders such as borderline personality disorder, dependent personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder
• Substance withdrawal
• Body dysmorphic disorder
• Akathisia
• Hypoglycemia
• Schizophrenia
• Sexual dysfunction
• Body integrity identity disorder
• Insomnia
• Chronic pain

In popular culture

Dysphoria is featured in many songs by PBR&B Artist Lee Art. Against Me! released the album Transgender Dysphoria Blues in which the lead singer Laura Jane Grace shares her experiences of gender dysphoria.

See also

• Comedown (drugs)

References

• "Dysphoria." Alleydog.com Psychology Glossary.