hyperkatifeia

H4Y4P3E1R1K5A1T1I1F4E1I1A1

noun

Hypersensitivity to emotional distress in the context of substance abuse.

OriginAncient Greek κατήφεια →
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Meanings

noun
  1. medicineHypersensitivity to emotional distress in the context of substance abuse.

    George Koob, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, has christened this state “hyperkatifeia,” an extreme dejection or dysphoria that can occur with long-term drug use.

    2024, Moises Velasquez-Manoff, “An Effective Treatment for Opioid Addiction Exists. Why Isn’t It Used More?”, in New York Times

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekκατήφεια
  2. Englishhyperkatifeia

From hyper- + Ancient Greek κατήφεια (katḗpheia).

More words from Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

hyperkatifeia. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hyperkatifeia

MLA

“hyperkatifeia.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hyperkatifeia. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “hyperkatifeia,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hyperkatifeia.

Source: hyperkatifeia on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.