As the names suggest, euphoria and dysphoria are two completely opposite mental states. Both terms are rooted in Greek; the base word is pherein, which means “to bear.” In this case the “bearing” done is how well one is holding up. It refers to the mental ability to cope. Eu- and dys- are Greek prefixes that have opposite meanings. Eu- is indicative of good or well, while dys- oppositely requires the word to take on a negative meaning. Thus, a euphoric person is mentally feeling good or well, while a dysphoric person is feeling bad or poor.
Most medical definitions focus on mental state, as the idea of whether or not a person can bear something is largely connected to the chemical messages the brain is sending.
Euphoria is defined as a feeling of elation or exceptional well being. This good feeling is largely the result of endorphins. Endorphins are the body’s natural “uppers.” They are also the main pain-relief system of the body.
Various activities such as exercise (vigorous running especially—the “runner’s high”), sexual activity and stress cause endorphins. Nervousness and laughter can also trigger them.
Some of the side effects of euphoria include excitability, hyperactivity and restlessness.
Many women, after they have endured vaginal delivery of their children, experience wakefulness and excitability. The endorphins produced as a result of the stress and pain of childbirth cause euphoria. As the effects of endorphins wear off, the person gradually calms down and returns to less excitable state.
Euphoria can also be artificially derived through the interaction of the body with controlled substances. There are various legal, as well as illicit, drugs that induce the feeling of well-being.
It is possible to become addicted to euphoric feelings, making substance addiction a mental problem as well as a physical one. The quest to feel euphoric is also what drives “adrenaline junkies” to involve themselves in activities such as skydiving, motocross and other sports considered extreme.
By contrast, dysphoria involves feelings of depression and discontent. Dysphoria, as defined by various medical web sites, is an emotional and mental state characterized by anxiety, depression or unease. Like euphoria, dysphoria occurs chemically. Also like euphoria, a restless feeling can accompany the mental state.
Unlike the euphoric person’s restlessness, a dysphoric person's experiences restlessness as anxiousness that has nothing to do with looking forward to something, or being happy. It’s more of a vague feeling that something is wrong, rather than an almost inexplicable feeling that everything is right.
Dysphoria is related to a wide range of natural tendencies. Post-partum depression, the baby blues, is a form of dysphoria. This can occur in mothers shortly after they give birth. The chemical changes in their bodies that may have caused euphoria during the pregnancy and delivery are no longer present.
Additionally, the fourth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has redefined premenstrual syndrome (PMS) as premenstrual dysphoria disorder (PMDD). These feelings are actually cyclical and physiological in nature in conjunction with a woman’s menstrual cycle. Otherwise, dysphoria is generally considered to be mostly-related to mental and emotional triggers.
Another recognized and specific form of dysphoria is gender dysphoria. This condition is associated with feeling a disconnect from one’s biological gender. A person with gender dysphoria is not happy with his/her body, and feel as though mentally, emotionally or spiritually s/he belongs in the body of the opposite sex.
Dysphoria, like euphoria, can be addictive. There are people who become emotionally and mentally attached to feelings of unease and unhappiness. While a certain amount of dysphoria is expected in life (especially during some stages, i.e. teen years or middle years), prolonged dysphoric feelings can be an indicator of depression, a disorder of its own.
It is important to remember that these two mental states are complete opposites, and many ways represent our lives. While most people live in between most of the time, nearly everyone will experience times in their lives where they feel euphoric, and other times when they feel dysphoric.
