Definition
Dysphoria is a mood disorder characterized by unpleasant feelings, such as sadness, restlessness, feelings of frustration and pessimism, tension and irritability.
This picture can be associated with the tendency to overreact to various stimuli, with poor self-control and impulsive behavior, which can result in aggression and anger.
Dysphoria is a symptom that manifests itself in cases of major depression and anxiety disorders. The phenomenon is found above all in mixed states, characterized by transitions between extreme mania and sadness, such as bipolar disorder and cyclothymia.
Dysphoria also occurs in individuals with borderline personality disorder, where it would indicate a real resistance to depression. If this emotional picture arises from problems related to one's sexual identity one speaks of gender dysphoria (or gender identity disorder).
Other conditions that may include dysphoric status as a symptom include post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, temporal lobe epilepsy, hypoglycemia, chronic pain, akathisia, sexual dysfunction and insomnia.
Dysphoria is also present in the context of premenstrual dysphoric disorder, a syndrome that includes mood swings and behavioral symptoms associated with physical illness.
This mood disorder can also be induced by stress, drug or alcohol abuse and nicotine withdrawal.
The opposite condition to dysphoria is euphoria.
Possible Causes * of Dysphoria
- Alcoholism
- Nervous anorexia
- Anxiety
- Binge drinking
- Bulimia
- Major depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Cyclothymic disorder
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Avoidant Personality Disorder
- Narcissistic Personality Disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Menopause
- Schizophrenia
- Premenstrual syndrome
