Dysphoria


Dysphoria is a profound state of unease or dissatisfaction. In a psychiatric context, dysphoria may accompany depression, anxiety, or agitation. The term is often used to refer to gender dysphoria, experienced by people whose gender identity does not align with their assigned sex.

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.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders categorizes specific dysphoria in the obsessive–compulsive spectrum.
Dissatisfaction with being able-bodied can be diagnosed as body integrity dysphoria in the ICD-11.

Gender dysphoria

Gender dysphoria is discomfort, unhappiness, or distress due to one's assigned sex. The current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders uses the term "gender dysphoria" where it previously referred to "gender identity disorder", making it clear that they no longer consider the gender identity to be disordered, but rather the emotional state of distress which results from the gender identity.

Related conditions

The following conditions may include dysphoria as a symptom:
Some drugs can produce dysphoria, including κ-opioid receptor agonists like salvinorin A, butorphanol, and pentazocine, μ-opioid receptor antagonists such as naltrexone and nalmefene, and antipsychotics like haloperidol and chlorpromazine, among others. Depressogenic and/or anxiogenic drugs may also be associated with dysphoria.

In popular culture

released the album Transgender Dysphoria Blues in which the lead singer Laura Jane Grace shares her experiences of gender dysphoria.
Shane Neilson released a book of poetry entitled Dysphoria in which he explores the experience of dysphoria.