Mental Health Mood Disorders What to Know About Bipolar Euthymic Moods The moments in between manic and depressive episodes By Ashley Olivine, Ph.D., MPH Ashley Olivine, Ph.D., MPH Ashley Olivine is a health psychologist and public health professional with over a decade of experience serving clients in the clinical setting and private practice. Learn about our editorial process Published on November 22, 2021 Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD Steven Gans, MD, is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Euthymic Mood Recognizing Euthymia Mood Changes Medical Understanding Well-Being Therapy Frequently Asked Questions Euthymic mood can be defined as a state of well-being and tranquility. It is a term that is generally used when talking about bipolar disorder, previously known as manic-depressive illness. This is because bipolar disorder is a mental health condition where people shift between episodes of major depression and mania or hypomania. Euthymia describes the phases between, without either of these extremes. Verywell / Tara Anand What Does Euthymic Mean? Euthymic is a mood or feeling of being optimistic and in control, where a person is doing well, tranquil, functioning. It is often associated with the phases of bipolar disorder between manic and depressive episodes. Euthymic Mood in Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder involves both extremes of emotional highs and lows that reach levels of depression and mania. A euthymic mood is that time between major depressive, manic, or hypomanic episodes. It does not necessarily mean that there are no symptoms of depression or mania at all, but that if symptoms are present, they are minor and below the threshold of being considered a diagnosable mood. Mania vs. Hypomania Mania and hypomania both involve high energy, activity, and a boosted mood, but mania is more extreme. Also, mania tends to last longer. What Are the Differences Between Hypomania and Mania? What It Is Euthymic mood is the phase between bipolar episodes. Mood is a subjective emotional state. Affect describes how a person’s mood is shown through nonverbal behavior. Mood vs. Affect Mood is what a person feels, and affect is how that mood is shown in nonverbal communication. What It Isn’t Euthymia does not mean a person is cured. A common misconception is that a euthymic mood among people with bipolar disorder means they no longer have the condition. This is not true. Although there are treatments for bipolar disorder, and euthymic phases can last years, it is a lifelong condition that needs to be monitored for possible bipolar episodes. Recognizing Periods of Euthymia Psychologists, psychiatrists, and other medical professionals who treat bipolar disorders are great resources for determining phases of euthymia. It can also be helpful for people with bipolar disorder to keep a journal of thoughts, feelings, and symptoms to reflect on regularly. Since euthymia is the phase of bipolar disorder without major depression, mania, or hypomania, it can be identified by the absence of bipolar episode symptoms—for example, the lack of bipolar symptoms such as too little or too much sleep, fatigue or excessive energy, or a mood that is either depressed or abnormally upbeat. Types of Mental Health Therapy What You Can Do Staying on medications, even during phases of euthymic mood, is important to prevent bipolar episodes. It can also be helpful to keep track of mood fluctuations and triggers during all phases of the illness to determine patterns that could aid in symptom management. Additionally, coping strategies such as physical activity can help prevent bipolar episodes and make euthymia last longer. Mood Changes From Co-Occurring Conditions People with bipolar disorder often suffer from anxiety disorders as well, which may make it more difficult to treat bipolar disorder. Alcohol and drug overuse are also common among people with bipolar disorder, and alcohol and drugs can trigger bipolar episodes. Other conditions that may occur with bipolar disorder include attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), eating disorders, and physical health problems. Anxiety Nearly half of people with bipolar disorder are diagnosed with anxiety disorder as well. While anxiety is a feeling that anyone can experience, an anxiety disorder is a mental health condition that involves excessive and persistent fear, worry, or excessive apprehension, such as general anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and phobias. These conditions may complicate treatment for bipolar disorder. Anhedonia Anhedonia is something that can happen in depression. It is when a person is unable to feel pleasure. Anhedonia is experienced by more than half of people with bipolar disorder when they are in a depressive episode. Medical Understanding Even though someone who has bipolar disorder is euthymic, they may still struggle with anxiety, apprehension, or intense fear of the next bipolar episode. This means that a euthymic mood cannot be the end goal for people with bipolar disorder, but that their overall well-being must be considered as well. Well-Being Therapy for Bipolar Patients Even though bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, there is hope. Experts are continually working on bipolar management. Treatment doesn’t stop if a patient is in a euthymic state. There are many things that can be done to help manage bipolar disorder in addition to medication. These options include: Eating a well-balanced diet Exercising regularly Following a routine Remaining consistent with medications and medical appointments Journaling and tracking mood and symptoms Managing stress Not using alcohol or drugs Leaning on social networks and professionals for support Techniques such as well-being therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy have also been found effective in managing bipolar disorder. Management of Bipolar Disorder Summary Among people with bipolar disorder, euthymia is an episode of doing well between episodes of major depression, mania, or hypomania. The details of these phases depend on the person. They could be frequent or rare, and could be short or last years. Even during times of euthymic mood, it is important to keep up with bipolar disorder treatment plans. A Word From Verywell A euthymic mood may bring a mix of emotions for those who experience the extremes of mania and depression, as there may be fear of the next bipolar episode. If you are in a euthymic mood between bipolar episodes, you may be interested in talking with someone about what you are experiencing. Support is available. Reach out to your mental health professional. You may also feel you no longer need support because you are doing well. It is still important to receive care to prepare for or prevent future bipolar episodes. If you think you may have bipolar disorder but have not yet been diagnosed, it is important to seek care, even in times of euthymia. Frequently Asked Questions How long does the euthymic state last? How long the euthymic state lasts depends on the person, the severity of their disorder, and how well they respond to treatment. These phases may be short, or they could last years. The average length is 18 months. What triggers the end of euthymia for bipolar patients? Since euthymia is the phase between the mania and depression episodes of bipolar disorder, the things that trigger the end are the things that trigger mania or depression. Stress is one of the biggest triggers. Other causes include traumatic events and drug or alcohol abuse. Does being in a euphoric mood mean you’re euthymic? Euphoria is an increased feeling of well-being and happiness. A slightly euphoric mood could be part of a euthymic phase between bipolar episodes. However, a higher level of euphoria, especially if it is not aligned with reality, would be part of a manic or hypomanic episode. Should people with bipolar disorder still take their medicine during euthymic episodes? It is recommended that most people with bipolar disorder continue taking medications, even when euthymic. This is because stopping the treatment is likely to lead to manic or depressive episodes. Stopping these medications can be very dangerous, especially when the process is not guided by a qualified medical professional. What Is Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder? 15 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Psychological Association. Euthymia. American Psychological Association. Bipolar disorder. American Psychological Association. Hypomania. Biology Dictionary. Euthymic. National Institute of Mental Health. Bipolar disorder. Jawad I, Watson S, Haddad PM, Talbot PS, McAllister-Williams RH. Medication nonadherence in bipolar disorder: a narrative review. Ther Adv Psychopharmacol. 2018;8(12):349-363. doi:10.1177/2045125318804364 Spoorthy MS, Chakrabarti S, Grover S. 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Belief updating in bipolar disorder predicts time of recurrence. eLife. 2020;9:e58891. doi:10.7554/eLife.58891 American Psychological Association. Euphoria. By Ashley Olivine, Ph.D., MPH Dr. Ashley Olivine is a health psychologist and public health professional with over a decade of experience serving clients in the clinical setting and private practice. She has also researched a wide variety psychology and public health topics such as the management of health risk factors, chronic illness, maternal and child wellbeing, and child development. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit