dysphoria
Dysphoria (noun) means a persistent state of unease, dissatisfaction or low mood, in which a person feels profoundly uncomfortable in themselves. Example: “The medication lifted the dysphoria that had shadowed her for months.”
How to Use Dysphoria
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIt is a deep, lasting feeling of being uncomfortable or unhappy in yourself.
A clinical term, uncountable in general use. It commonly appears with a modifier that specifies the kind, as in gender dysphoria or body dysphoria; on its own it means general distress or low mood.
It is the direct opposite of euphoria, which shares the same Greek root for bearing or carrying.
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The medication lifted the _____ that had shadowed her for months.
Etymology
From Greek dysphoria, discomfort or distress, from dys-, bad or difficult, and pherein, to bear.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for dysphoria
See all rhymes for dysphoria →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between dysphoria and dysmorphia?
Dysphoria is distress about a mismatch between how you are and how you feel you should be, most often discussed in relation to gender. Body dysmorphia is a preoccupation with a perceived flaw in appearance that others barely notice or do not see at all.
What is the difference between dysphoria and depression?
Dysphoria names a state of unease and dissatisfaction, which can be a symptom of many conditions or a response to circumstances. Depression is a diagnosed disorder with a wider set of features, including loss of interest, changes to sleep and appetite, and impaired functioning.
What does gender dysphoria feel like?
People describe a persistent discomfort with their body, voice, name or how others read them, which can range from background unease to acute distress. It is not the same as simply disliking gender stereotypes, and clinicians look for distress that lasts and interferes with daily life.