Hyperthymic temperament

Hyperthymic temperament, or hyperthymia, from Ancient Greek ὑπέρ ("over", meaning here excessive) + θυμός ("spirited"), is a proposed personality type characterized by an exceptionally, or in same cases, abnormally positive mood and disposition. It is generally defined by increased energy, vividness and enthusiasm for life activities as opposed to dysthymia. Hyperthymia is similar to but more stable than hypomania with complete absence of irritability or negative mood effects.[1][2]

"Hyperthymia" redirects here. It is not to be confused with hyperthermia.

Characteristics of the hyperthymic temperament include:[3]

  • increased energy and productivity
  • short sleep patterns
  • vividness, activity extroversion
  • self-assurance, self-confidence
  • strong will
  • extreme talkativeness
  • tendency to repeat oneself
  • risk-taking/sensation seeking
  • breaking social norms
  • very strong libido
  • love of attention
  • low threshold for boredom
  • generosity and tendency to overspend
  • emotion sensitivity
  • cheerfulness and joviality
  • unusual warmth
  • expansiveness
  • tirelessness
  • irrepressibility, irresistible, and infectious quality

The clinical, psychiatric understanding of hyperthymia is evolving. Studies have shown that hyperthymic temperament promotes efficient performance of complex tasks under time pressure or extreme conditions.[4] Despite this positive characterization, hyperthymia can be complicated with depressive episodes manifesting as a softer form of bipolar illness, such as cyclothymia.[5][6] Research also suggests a familial genetic connection of the temperament to bipolar I.[7]

Aside from references in historical and more recent writings on the spectrum of mood disorders, further literature on the temperament is lacking.[8][9] There is a lack of agreement on its definition, implications or whether it is pathological. It is not known where to place hyperthymia on the affective spectrum.

Hyperthymia manifesting intermittently or in an unusual way may mask hypomania or another psychiatric disorder. Hyperthymia can be most accurately diagnosed by a psychologist or psychiatrist with the help of a patient's family and/or close friends.

See also

References
  1. "hyperthymia - Wiktionary". en.wiktionary.org. Retrieved 2015-05-13.
  2. Dubovsky, S.L.; Dubovsky, A.N. (2008). Concise Guide to Mood Disorders. American Psychiatric Publishing. p. 39. ISBN 9781585627653. Retrieved 2015-05-13.
  3. http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/418724(subscription+required)%5B%5D
  4. Jaracz, Marcin; Paciorek, Przemysław; Buciński, Adam; Borkowska, Alina (2014). "Affective temperament and executive functions in emergency medicine professionals". Journal of Affective Disorders. 168: 192–6. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2014.07.004. PMID 25063957.
  5. Manning, J. Sloan. "Beyond Antidepressants: Bipolar Spectrum Illness Presenting as Complicated or Refractory Mood Disorders in Primary Care". www.medscape.org. Retrieved 2018-04-30.
  6. Manning, J. Sloan (February 2000). "Refractory Depressed and Anxious States in Hyperthymic Women: A Case Series Generated by a Speaking Engagement". Primary Care Companion to The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 2 (1): 16–19. doi:10.4088/pcc.v02n0105. ISSN 1523-5998. PMC 181104. PMID 15014663.
  7. Chiaroni, P.; Hantouche, E. G.; Gouvernet, J.; Azorin, J. M.; Akiskal, H. S. (November 2004). "[Hyperthymic and depressive temperaments study in controls, as a function of their familial loading for mood disorders]". L'Encephale. 30 (6): 509–515. doi:10.1016/s0013-7006(04)95464-4. ISSN 0013-7006. PMID 15738852.
  8. Féline, A (1993). "Hyperthymic disorders". L'Encéphale. 19 (2): 103–7. PMID 8275895.
  9. Fritze, F; Ehrt, U; Brieger, P (2002). "The concept of hyperthymia". Fortschritte der Neurologie · Psychiatrie. 70 (3): 117–25. doi:10.1055/s-2002-20530. PMID 11880944.

Further reading


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