dysphoria

American  

[dis-fawr-ee-uh] / dɪsˈfɔr i ə /

noun

1. a state of dissatisfaction, anxiety, or restlessness.

   Growing up with alcoholic parents can produce dysphoria and low self-esteem in adulthood.

   One cannot predict the nature and extent of the damage caused by the current economic and social dysphoria.

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dysphoria British  

/ dɪsˈfɒrɪk, dɪsˈfɔːrɪə /

noun

1. a feeling of being ill at ease

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Other Word Forms

• dysphoric
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of dysphoria

First recorded in 1835–45; from New Latin, from Greek dysphoría “malaise, discomfort,” equivalent to dys- dys- + phor(ós) “bearing” + -ia -ia

Explanation

Dysphoria is a state of mental discomfort or suffering. When you feel dysphoria — and we hope you rarely do — you feel depressed and awful. Euphoria is a state of joy or bliss: dysphoria is the opposite. It’s a state of unease, anxiety, and misery. Dysphoria is very similar to depression, which is also a form of extreme sadness. This is a strong word for more than being bummed: it indicates true misery. Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a well-known literary figure who wrestles with dysphoria.

Example Sentences

Gender Dysphoria is a feeling of discomfort or distress some transgender people feel regarding a disconnection between gender and sex in the body.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 23, 2023

A clinical study, run by the new Children and Young People's Gender Dysphoria Research and Oversight Board, will look at the impact of drugs which delay puberty.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2023

Dysphoria is notoriously difficult to describe to those who haven’t experienced it, like a flavor.

From New York Times • Nov. 24, 2018

To that I would say: Dysphoria is not simply internalized misogyny turned up to 11.

From Slate • Sep. 20, 2018

Dysphoria, dis-fō′ri-a, n. impatience under affliction, morbid restlessness.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various