Stress Management Effects on Health What Is Dysphoria? By Amy Morin, LCSW facebook twitter linkedin instagram Amy Morin, LCSW, is the Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind. She's also a psychotherapist, the author of the bestselling book "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," and the host of the Mentally Strong People podcast. Learn about our editorial process Amy Morin, LCSW Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD on May 18, 2020 twitter linkedin Daniel B. Block, MD, is an award-winning, board-certified psychiatrist who operates a private practice in Pennsylvania. Learn about our Review Board Daniel B. Block, MD on May 18, 2020 Print Table of Contents View All Signs Prevalence Causes Substance Use Gender Dysphoria PMDD Treatment While euphoria is used to describe a state of extreme happiness, dysphoria is the opposite—it’s a profound sense of unease or dissatisfaction. While dysphoria isn’t a mental health diagnosis on its own, it’s a symptom associated with a variety of mental illnesses, such as anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders. Signs of Dysphoria Dysphoria may accompany other signs of depression or mental health problems, such as crying, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, and disturbances in appetite or sleep. People experiencing dysphoria may think differently. A 2019 study published in Psychiatry Research found that dysphoria was linked to more frequent thoughts about the future. People with dysphoria reported more negative thoughts and more unrealistic or implausible outcomes. It’s unclear whether more negative thoughts about the future cause dysphoria or whether dysphoria causes a bleaker outlook. Prevalence A person experiencing dysphoria might not necessarily qualify for a mental illness diagnosis such as depression. Instead, their symptoms may be too mild or too short in duration to meet the criteria. It’s estimated that about 5% of the general population experiences dysphoria, with women between ages 25 and 44 at the highest risk. Dysphoria may be fleeting or short-lived. It often resolves quickly. But long-term dysphoria, which is often related to mental illness, may cause a higher risk of suicide. Causes Environmental stressors, like the loss of a loved one, a stressful work environment, or family conflict may cause feelings of dysphoria. Some physical health conditions, like nutritional deficiencies, thyroid problems, or toxicities may also cause dysphoria. It may additionally be a side effect of certain medications. Dysphoria may be associated with a variety of mental health conditions. People with the following mental illnesses may report dysphoria: Adjustment disorderBipolar disorderDepressionPersonality disordersSchizoaffective disorderSeasonal affective disorder Coping With Personality Disorder Substance Use Up to 70% of people with alcohol dependence report dysphoria during heavy drinking. People with alcohol dependence and a mood disorder are especially likely to experience more dysphoria as well as poorer clinical outcomes. In some cases, dysphoria may lead to heavy drinking. In other cases, heavy drinking may cause dysphoria. Mood often improves when a person stops drinking, but the improvement may not be immediate. Dysphoria often occurs in the weeks following withdrawal. As appetite and sleep improve, dysphoria usually subsides. Dysphoria has also been linked to tobacco use. It is associated with higher levels of tobacco dependence, greater perceived barriers to smoking cessation, and more severe nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Among all depressive symptoms, dysphoria holds the strongest association with smoking outcomes. Researchers suspect it is central to the development and maintenance of maladaptive smoking. A 2019 study published in Addictive Behaviors found that individuals with pain-related anxiety are especially likely to smoke cigarettes to cope with feelings of dysphoria. Gender Dysphoria Currently, the term dysphoria is most commonly used when discussing gender dysphoria. Gender dysphoria refers to the distress a person experiences when their gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. The dysphoria sometimes resolves when the individual transitions or begins to live as the gender they identify with. However, some people continue to experience dysphoria during and after transitioning. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) Dysphoria may also be talked about in terms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). PMDD is a much more severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Symptoms may include a variety of physical and psychological symptoms, including moodiness, irritability, depression, and poor self-image. It may be treated with medication and lifestyle changes. Treatment for Dysphoria If you are experiencing a dysphoric mood that lasts more than two weeks, it’s important to seek professional help. Start by talking to your physician. Your doctor will want to rule out any medical conditions or medication interactions that may be causing your dysphoria. Once physical health issues are ruled out, you may be referred to a mental health professional, who can assess your symptoms and determine if your dysphoria is part of a mental health condition. Treatment depends on the cause of the dysphoria. Talk therapy, medication, or lifestyle changes may be recommended to help improve your mood and assist you in feeling your best. If you or a loved one are struggling with dysphoria, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Struggling with stress? Our guide offers expert advice on how to better manage stress levels. Get it FREE when you sign up for our newsletter. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Hallford DJ. 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Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Ltd.; 2011. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7020-3397-1.00028-8 Buckner JD, Farris SG, Zvolensky MJ, et al. Dysphoria and smoking among treatment seeking smokers: the role of smoking-related inflexibility/avoidance. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2015;41(1):45–51. doi:10.3109/00952990.2014.927472 Smit T, Peraza N, Garey L, et al. Pain-related anxiety and smoking processes: The explanatory role of dysphoria. Addictive Behaviors. 2019;88:15-22. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.08.008 Dhejne C, Van Vlerken R, Heylens G, Arcelus J. Mental health and gender dysphoria: A review of the literature. Int Rev Psychiatry. 2016;28(1):44–57. doi:10.3109/09540261.2015.1115753 Kaiser G, Janda C, Kleinstäuber M, Weise C. Clusters of premenstrual symptoms in women with PMDD: Appearance, stability and association with impairment. J Psychosom Res. 2018;115:38–43. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2018.10.004 Additional Reading Hadj-Moussa M, Ohl DA, Kuzon WM. Evaluation and treatment of gender dysphoria to prepare for gender confirmation surgery. Sexual Medicine Reviews. 2018;6(4):607-617. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2018.03.006 Wright Pádraig, Stern J, Phelan M. Core psychiatry. Edinburgh: Saunders. Updated 2012.