Hyperthymia: Understanding the Exuberant Temperament

Our emotions are one of the most complex aspects. It’s never easy to understand emotions or why we feel the way we do, and it’s a given; what I feel or experience may not be what you feel or experience. After all, our feelings and emotions vary! Some of us experience highs and lows when it comes to emotions quite frequently, while others maintain a steady emotion most of the time.

One of these emotional states can be hypothymia or hyperthymia. Hyperthymia is a lesser-known condition where you experience a persistent mood of elation, enthusiasm, and high energy. This mood can also be known as hyperthymic temperament or hyperthymic mood.

As the term may already suggest, it’s the opposite of dysthymia, a persistent feeling of depression (also known as persistent depressive disorder). Hyperthymia, on the other hand, is a mood that can be linked with bipolar disorder.

In this article, we’ll be exploring what hyperthymia is, what it looks like, the link between hyperthymia and bipolar disorder, and ways you can manage a hyperthymic mood.

So, let’s get started!

What is Hyperthymia?

Hyperthymia can be described as a psychological disorder or condition where you experience a consistent state of excessive positive, energetic, and buoyant mood. Unlike mania or hypomania, which are episodic moods, hyperthymia is a stable mood where the temperament leans more towards high levels of positivity and energy.

If you experience hyperthymic temperament, then you can experience a lifelong pattern of positive and exuberant mood that may even last in the absence of triggering situations or events. It might even look like a part of your personality with how long the mood lasts.

Did you know that if you have hyperthymia then you’re likely to have high self-esteem and self-confidence? Because of the perpetual state of positive mood, you are more likely to accomplish challenging tasks easily than others can.

As this mood gives you a constant flow of unlimited energy and enthusiasm, you can also find yourself engaging in multitasking!

So, there may be some benefits of having a hyperthymic temperament after all, right?

Symptoms of Hyperthymia

Hyperthymia mood may come with these symptoms and characteristics so watch out!

• A constant state of cheerfulness and optimism
• High levels of energy
• Experiencing racing thoughts
• Engaging in fast-paced conversations
• Increased creativity and productivity
• Extroversion
• Feelings of self-assuredness and grandiose
• Less need for sleep
• Appearing overconfident

Hyperthymia and Bipolar Disorder: Is There a Link?

While hyperthymia shares similarities with the manic mood of bipolar disorder, these two conditions may differ. Hyperthymic temperament can be on the same spectrum as bipolar disorder and can be categorized as a subclinical part of the manic mood of bipolar disorder. In some situations, people with hyperthymic may even develop major symptoms of bipolar disorder over time, especially if they experience a dysthymia mood alongside hyperthymia.

One of the main differences between hyperthymia and the manic mood of bipolar disorder is that where mania lasts for at least a week, hyperthymia lasts for a long time. Mania is an episodic mood condition whereas hyperthymia is like living in a constant state of positive mood.

Make note that having a hyperthymic temperament is not a sign that you have bipolar disorder nor it means that having hyperthymia may result in you developing bipolar disorder.

How to Manage Hyperthymia?

Hyperthymia may not require professional treatment, but if the mood condition is causing you trouble in your everyday life, then various strategies can be used to manage hyperthymic temperament. These strategies can also help you maintain your mental and emotional well-being and prevent any negative effects caused by this temperament.

Here are some strategies to help you manage hyperthymia;

1. Talk Therapy:

You can seek therapy approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help you understand how to manage the emotions you’re feeling. CBT can also teach you effective coping skills to manage your emotions.

2. Lifestyle Changes:

You can also change your lifestyle to include regular exercise, 7–8 hours of sleep per night, and stress management techniques such as meditation and mindfulness to maintain a stable mood and manage the excessive energy that comes with hyperthymia.

3. Seek Social Support:

Having strong social support to lean on can also help you manage the symptoms of hyperthymic temperament. You can create a social network of friends, family, or therapists who can provide you with a safe space to share your experiences and emotions, gain insight into your behavior and mood, and offer encouragement when needed.

4. Medications:

In some severe cases, a psychiatrist may prescribe you medications to help manage the excessive exuberance and address other symptoms of hyperthymia such as impulsivity and hyperactivity. Make sure you speak to a physician before taking any medication as some medications may have side effects, worsening your mood.

Wrap-Up

Hyperthymic temperament is a psychological condition that can be described as having a persistent state of positive and exuberant mood. While having hyperthymia can have some benefits such as increased productivity and creativity, it can also cause minor disruptions in your everyday life.

Learning what hyperthymia looks like and how it can affect you can be the first step in addressing the mood condition. Even though this mood condition can be a subclinical part of bipolar disorder’s hypomanic mood, it can be easily managed. The aforementioned strategies to manage hyperthymic mood may help!

If you have hyperthymia, then know that you can lead a fulfilling life while keeping your mood in check with the help of the above-mentioned management strategies. Understanding and accepting the mood condition plays an important role in overcoming the challenges that often accompany hyperthymic temperament.

If you find that hyperthymia is affecting your everyday life, then do not hesitate to reach out to a professional for support and guidance.

I hope this blog helped you understand what hyperthymia is and how to manage hyperthymic temperament. You can share your thoughts with me in the comments below!

Take Care!