When you hear about someone having dysphoria or feeling depressed, you know they are going through something. However, dysphoria lasts longer than a short term episode of depression, whereas depression can occur on one occasion. Although some confuse these terms, the perception and treatment of both dysphoria and depression are based on how a mental health professional sees the symptoms of both conditions.

An example of treatment for depression is medication, while examples of treatments for dysphoria include counseling and support groups. In this blog, let’s learn what psychiatrists want you to know about dysphoria vs depression.

Are Dysphoria And Depression The Same?

Dysphoria and depression may seem alike at first glance. Both have aspects centered around negative emotion. However, psychiatrists point out some important distinctions between the two disorders.

Dysphoria in psychiatry is typically defined as an overall sense of dissatisfaction or unease with oneself, generally tied to feelings of discomfort, and may result from stress or circumstances, such as hormonal fluctuation. It may resolve within a short time frame or persist over a long period, for instance, anxiety.

On the contrary, depression is diagnosed and has similar features to dysphoria. However, depression is categorized as lasting at least two weeks and can severely demotivate an individual’s capability to perform activities in everyday living. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every year, females are more affected by depression than males.

To summarize, dysphoria may temporarily be indicative of depression, but not all dysphoric signs are related to depression. Dysphoria can be temporary and can occur under specific conditions, while depression is both persistent and significantly disruptive.

What Psychiatrists Say Are The Signs & Causes Of Dysphoria And Depression?

Before we get into that, it is important to know that psychiatrists stress the need for early detection of any signs of dysphoria in adults to avoid developing additional problems. The following are signs of dysphoria:

Unpleasant feelings of discomfort, irritability, or dissatisfaction that last for a prolonged period.
Restlessness and inability to relax and be at ease with themselves.
Become easily irritated by small things.
Mood swings, specifically being overly sensitive to small things.

In some cases, symptoms can be related to anxiety or hormonal imbalance.

The following are signs of depression:

A depressed mood that lasts more than 2 weeks.
Loss of interest in things they usually enjoyed.
Changes in sleep habits, for instance, insomnia or sleeping excessively.
Unexplained changes in appetite and weight.
Feeling extremely tired or lacking energy.
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
Feelings of worthlessness and excessive guilt.

Hormonal changes during premenstruation or menopause, and other related factors that cause dysphoria, can vary widely in terms of triggers. Some common examples of triggers of dysphoria can include, but are not limited to:

Hormone changes, for example, premenstruation, menopause, and thyroid.
Stressful life events or chronic stress.
Personality coping mechanisms.
Medications or substance use.

Factors Contributing to depression:

Depression usually has a wide variety of factors that play a role in it, such as biological and environmental factors.
Genetic vulnerability to mental health disorders.
Neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, are imbalanced.
Stress, trauma, or life events that span a long period.
Chronic physical illness or disease.
Substance use or abuse.

Psychiatrists’ research suggests that if symptoms of dysphoria are not treated in a timely manner, the symptoms could progress to something serious, and recognizing the symptoms in a timely manner is critical.

How Can Depression Be Treated?

The type of treatment offered to an individual with depression depends on the severity and the individual’s needs. Most psychiatrists will encourage a combination of treatments such as:

Psychotherapy (Talk Therapy): An example of psychotherapy is Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which assists patients in identifying negative thoughts and reframing them into healthier thoughts through ways with their behavior.
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): Another example of therapy is Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), which emphasizes improving relationships and communication skills.
Medication: Medications are prescribed to help restore the balance of brain chemicals and alleviate symptoms associated with depression. To ensure that these medications are effective and to avoid side effects, careful monitoring of the medications is recommended.
Physical Activities: Regular physical exercise is a proven way of improving mental health by reducing feelings of anxiety and enhancing mood.
Lifestyle Habits: A balanced diet, adequate sleep, and engaging in mindfulness practices will also enhance mental health.
Support Networks: Family, friends, or supportive networks will provide emotional support to help with feelings of isolation.
Professional Guidance: If the individual is experiencing thoughts of self harm or severe functional disability due to depression, the best psychiatric hospital in Coimbatore can help with proper care and diagnosis.

Psychiatrists emphasize that intervention should occur as early as possible to improve the outcome of treatment. When symptoms of depression occur, they should not be ignored. Treating them early can prevent the person from developing a full blown mental health disorder.

What To Do While Feeling Depressed?

The things to do while feeling depressed are practicing self mindfulness, engaging in journaling and physical activity, and connecting with supportive friends and family for managing your intense feelings, while also seeking professional help for long term mental wellness.

How Do Depression And Dysphoria Differ?

Dysphoria is often defined by the existence of depressive signs that do not meet the diagnostic criteria of a Major Depressive Episode (MDE), but also doing everyday activities might become challenging for an individual, and there are higher chances of a major depressive episode.

What Are the Different Types Of Dysphoria?

Dysphoria might occur in different types, each with different characteristics and triggering factors. Here are the important types of dysphoria:

Rejection sensitive dysphoria
Gender dysphoria
Postcoital dysphoria
Tardive dysphoria
Premenstrual dysphoric condition.

Conclusion

Depression and dysphoria might share some common characteristics, but they are not the same. Dysphoria is often a sensation of discomfort, often temporary or situational. But, on the other hand, depression could be chronic or often clinically diagnosed and affect everyday functioning. Understanding the differences between dysphoria and depression is pivotal, as this helps individuals seek proper attention.

Psychiatrists advise paying closer attention to symptoms at the early stage, finding the underlying causes, and undergoing treatments, lifestyle changes, and medications as effective strategies to manage depression. If you or anyone you know has these depression symptoms, getting proper depression treatment in Coimbatore from a psychiatrist can make a huge difference in recovery, most importantly, overall well being.