What Does Euthymic Mean?
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Medically reviewed by Dakari Quimby, PhD
Euthymia is a state of tranquility and well-being. Someone experiencing euthymia is considered to be in a euthymic mood. The term euthymic is often used in the context of bipolar disorder—someone with the mood disorder is considered to be in a euthymic mood when they are experiencing neither mania nor depression.
Being in a euthymic mood is not the same as being happy or optimistic. Instead, euthymia defines the time a person with a mood disorder isn't showing significant distress. Someone in a euthymic mood is no longer experiencing the extremes of the disorder and so appears more stabilized based on specific rating scales and diagnostic criteria. They have enhanced functioning and behavior.
Thankfully, there are things people with bipolar disorder or other mood disorders can do to reach and maintain euthymia.
Editor's Note: The word "euthymia" is derived from the Greek terms eu, which means well, and thymos, which means soul.
Characteristics of a Euthymic Mood
There are certain factors someone must meet to be considered in a euthymic mood. A mental health professional can determine whether you are in euthymia based on rating scales and other diagnostic criteria.
When someone is experiencing a euthymic mood, they will have these key characteristics:
Displays a lack of mood disturbances and is considered in full remission of a mood disorder (using diagnostic tools to verify)
Experiences negative emotions like sadness, irritability, or anxiety only if a specific situation calls for it; the emotions are temporary and don't interfere with daily life
Exhibits positive affects like cheerfulness and calmness
Appears to be active and interested in things around them
Gets quality sleep that feels restorative and refreshing
Exhibits a positive well-being and is resilient in the face of stress, frustration, or anxiety
Euthymia and Bipolar Disorder
When someone is being treated for bipolar disorder, their healthcare provider will often develop a treatment plan with the goal of euthymia in mind. Bipolar disorder can cause extreme highs and significant lows and impact a person's ability to function. When euthymia is achieved, the person can have a more stable mood and a dramatic reduction in symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Because the moods of people with bipolar disorder can change throughout their lives, an euthymic mood is a goal but not always a constant. In other words, how long an euthymic mood lasts will depend on the person, how well they respond to treatment, and the severity of their condition.
Some people with bipolar disorder who have euthymia will relapse frequently while others will have a significant span of time between extreme moods. One study suggests the average timespan between episodes is about 18 months. Another study found that nearly 40% of people with bipolar disorder stayed euthymic for two to five years, and almost 12% of people went six to 10 years without an episode.
Many mental health professionals suggest viewing euthymia as a neutral state rather than classifying it as a positive mood to be attained. Euthymia also doesn't mean that the person will no longer experience sadness, anger, or other negative feelings. It is simply a more stable period in a person with bipolar disorder's life where they do not meet the criteria for another mood (like mania or depression).
Other Conditions With Periods of Euthymia
Euthymia can also be used to describe periods of well-being or tranquility in people with other mood disorders. For instance, mental health professionals may strive for euthymia in people with borderline personality disorder and major depressive disorder.
Although there is limited research on achieving euthymia in these mental health disorders, researchers are starting to explore euthymia's potential impact. For instance, one study found that slight decreases in euthymia may serve as a warning that depression could be returning.
Researchers also noted that working toward euthymia during the treatment of depression may improve well-being, an important component in dealing with negative emotions. That said, additional research is needed to determine the role euthymia plays in depression.
Benefits of Experiencing Euthymia
When a person experiences euthymia, this means that they are no longer experiencing any extreme moods associated with a diagnosed mental health condition like bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, or major depression. They also may experience emotional well-being and psychological flexibility.
During euthymia, any sadness, anger, or irritability they experience is likely in response to everyday life events and not associated with a mood disorder. Likewise, feelings of happiness, calmness, and thankfulness are also in relation to life events and not extreme.
People in a euthymic state also experience resilience and deal with stress in more productive ways.
Reaching euthymia may also have some preventative factors. One study found that people who had experienced depression but reached euthymia were less likely to experience another episode of depression. However, the researchers noted that more studies are needed to determine how the findings should dictate depression management.
Researchers are also exploring whether trying to achieve euthymia may be helpful for people who have had a stroke or spinal cord injury—especially since rates of depression among these groups are as high as 60% six months after their event. The researchers theorize that if healthcare providers make euthymia a goal in treatment, people with these conditions may do better in rehab.
How To Reach and Maintain Euthymia
To reach and maintain euthymia, it's important to work closely with your mental health professional and healthcare provider to develop a treatment plan. While this plan may include medications, lifestyle changes, and therapy, it will typically be unique to your particular symptoms, diagnosis, and personality.
Ongoing treatment is often needed to keep mood disturbances from recurring or to address those that re-emerge during treatment, so it's important to continue your treatment even if you feel better.
Here are some of the common ways euthymia is achieved and maintained:
Medication: Typically, medications known as mood stabilizers, such as lithium, are the cornerstone of treatment for bipolar disorder, the goal of which is to reach euthymia.
Well-being therapy: This approach to therapy involves keeping a structured diary that emphasizes self-observation of moods, feelings, sleep, and other parameters. This information may then be used in therapy sessions alongside cognitive restructuring and homework assignments to help maintain euthymia.
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT): Designed to prevent the relapse of depression, MBCT is a variation of cognitive therapy that uses mindfulness as a tool to keep your thoughts in the present and avoid negative thought patterns that can derail your mood.
Acceptance and commitment therapy: This intervention is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that uses acceptance, mindfulness, and commitment techniques as well as behavior changes to create psychological flexibility. By being psychologically flexible, you can better acknowledge and accept any negative feelings, as well as more successfully handle challenges.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): If medications and other treatments don't work, ECT might be useful in bipolar disorder or depression. When you receive ECT, you will be under general anesthesia, meaning you won't feel anything or be aware. During the treatment, brief electrical currents are applied to the scalp and cause short, controlled seizures. Seizures brought on by ECT are thought to help with certain conditions since they remodel brain signaling pathways.
Family members also may benefit from resources like health advocacy groups and support groups, especially since mood changes can cause stress for loved ones, too.
A Quick Review
When someone experiences euthymia, they are in a state of being that is characterized by calmness and improved functioning. Achieving a euthymic mood is the goal of treatment for mood disorders like bipolar disorder. You can reach and maintain euthymia with medications and therapy.
Some people may remain in euthymia for years while others may only experience a euthymic mood for a few months. Even if you feel better, you should continue with your treatment so you can try to maintain euthymia for as long as possible.
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