
People might describe distress as feeling:
- Sad
- Fearful
- Angry
- Helpless
- Hopeless
- Out of control
- Unsure of their faith, purpose, or meaning in life
- Like they want to pull away from people
- Concerned about illness
- Concerned about home or social role (as a father, mother, friend, caregiver, etc.)
- Depressed, anxious, or panicked
What are some of the most common examples of distress?
What are 5 examples of distress?
- Diagnosis of a life-threatening illness.
- The death of a loved one.
- The loss of a job.
- A serious injury.
- Filing for divorce and/or a separation.
- Being neglected or abused.
What is the difference between distress and pain?
is that distress is to cause strain or anxiety to someone while pain is to hurt; to put to bodily uneasiness or anguish; to afflict with uneasy sensations of any degree of intensity; to torment; to torture. (Cause of) discomfort.
What are the signs of distress?
“Negative body language such as an arched back, coupled with antisocial tendencies, are also tell-tale signs that your furry friend is struggling. You may notice they are more vocal than usual and that their coat is deteriorating, which can indicate over grooming.
What to say to a friend in distress?
When to give advice and when to hold your tongue
- Don’t assume—have an open and honest conversation. First things first, check your ears. ...
- Check your motivation. Take a moment to really think about why you want to help your friends or family with their money problems. ...
- Identify immediate versus future risks. ...
- Determine the pros and cons for both parties. ...
How does distress affect you?
When is distress more serious?
What is distress in cancer?
Why do women have higher risk of distress?
What does it feel like to be unable to cope?
Is it normal to feel distressed when you have cancer?
See 3 more
About this website

What is the feeling of distress?
Distress is an unpleasant emotion, feeling, thought, condition, or behavior. Distress can affect the way you think, feel, or act, and can make it hard to cope with having cancer, along with dealing with symptoms, treatment, and side effects.
What is distress and examples?
Examples of distress The loss of a job. A serious injury. Filing for divorce and/or a separation. Being neglected or abused. Feeling burnt out, especially in difficult situations that won't end.
What is a good sentence for distress?
How to use Distress in a sentence. Her distress was rising with their tension. Sensing similar distress in the man before her, she sat down. She'll be armed, and I'm leaving her a distress beacon.
What words mean distress?
distressaffliction,agony,anguish,excruciation,hurt,misery,pain,rack,More items...
Which characteristic is typical of distress?
In contrast, Distress, or negative stress, has the following characteristics: Causes anxiety or concern. Can be short- or long-term. Is perceived as outside of our coping abilities.
What are the different types of distress?
Different types of distress in a concrete structureLongitudinal distress in a concrete structure.Corner curling distress in a concrete structure.D-cracking distress in a concrete structure.Joint seal distress in a concrete structure.Shattered slab distress in a concrete structure.More items...•
What does severe distress mean?
distress, suffering, misery, agony mean the state of being in great trouble. distress implies an external and usually temporary cause of great physical or mental strain and stress.
What does it mean when a person is in distress?
Definition of in distress 1 : very upset He was clearly in distress upon hearing the news. 2 : in a very difficult situation in which one does not have enough money, food, etc. She's chosen to devote her life to helping those in distress.
What is the root word of distressing?
When something causes distress, "anxiety, sorrow, or pain," you can describe it as distressing. Both words come from the Vulgar Latin districtia, "restraint, affliction, or narrowness," from distringere, "draw apart or hinder" in Latin.
What is another word for emotional distress?
1 agony, anguish, adversity, tribulation.
What is another word for deeply hurt?
1 unbearable, insufferable, unendurable, agonizing, racking.
What is distress stress?
Distress occurs when stress is severe, prolonged, or both. The concepts of stress and distress can be distinguished from that of welfare, in that an adaptive and beneficial stress response may occur against a backdrop of a transient negative emotional state.
What is an example of distress in psychology?
a negative emotional state in which the specific quality of the emotion is unspecified or unidentifiable. For example, stranger anxiety in infants is more properly designated stranger distress because the infant's negative behavior, typically crying, allows no more specific identification of the emotion.
What is an example of personal distress?
Personal distress refers to selforiented feelings in response to perceiving another in need. For example, empathy and sympathy responses reflect moderate sympathetic arousal whereas personal distress reflects over-arousal.
What is eustress and distress examples?
For example, a person may feel distress when they break up with a partner, even though they know that doing so is what is best for them. Some examples of experiences that may trigger eustress include: exercise that matches a person's ability and fitness level. travel that is stressful but ultimately rewarding.
Which of the following are examples of distressed behavior?
Examples of distressed behaviour may include:tearful, sad, worried.low self-esteem.low motivation.changes in mood and appearance.difficulty concentrating.unusual restlessness or agitation.
How does the noun 'distress' differ from other similar words?
Some common synonyms of distress are agony, misery, and suffering. While all these words mean "the state of being in great trouble," distress impli...
When might 'agony' be a better fit than 'distress'?
In some situations, the words agony and distress are roughly equivalent. However, agony suggests pain too intense to be borne. // in agony over the...
When is 'misery' a more appropriate choice than 'distress'?
While in some cases nearly identical to distress, misery stresses the unhappiness attending especially sickness, poverty, or loss. // the homeless...
When could 'suffering' be used to replace 'distress'?
The synonyms suffering and distress are sometimes interchangeable, but suffering implies conscious endurance of pain or distress. // the suffering...
Distress - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com
distress: 1 n a state of adversity (danger or affliction or need) “a ship in distress ” “she was the classic maiden in distress ” Types: anguish extreme distress of body or mind pressure an oppressive condition of physical or mental or social or economic distress throe hard or painful trouble or struggle Type of: adversity , hard knocks , ...
Distress Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com
Distress definition, great pain, anxiety, or sorrow; acute physical or mental suffering; affliction; trouble: distress over his mother's illness. See more.
What Is Psychological Distress? - Definition & Symptoms
Psychological distress is a state that involves discomfort and unpleasant feelings that affect daily life. Learn more about the definition of psychological distress and explore the causes ...
What is another word for "distress"?
Some common synonyms of distress are agony, misery, and suffering. While all these words mean "the state of being in great trouble," distress implies an external and usually temporary cause of great physical or mental strain and stress. the hurricane put everyone in great distress.
When is misery a more appropriate choice than distress?
While in some cases nearly identical to distress, misery stresses the unhappiness attending especially sickness, poverty, or loss.
When might agony be a better fit than distress?
In some situations, the words agony and distress are roughly equivalent. However, agony suggests pain too intense to be borne.
When could suffering be used to replace distress?
The synonyms suffering and distress are sometimes interchangeable, but suffering implies conscious endurance of pain or distress.
Is suffering a synonym for distress?
The synonyms suffering and distress are sometimes interchangeable, but suffering implies conscious endurance of pain or distress.
What is emotional distress?
Seeing a doctor. Prevention. Summary. Emotional distress is a state of mental anguish that can take a wide variety of forms. It may result from a mental health issue or particular circumstances, such as relationship difficulties or financial strain. Emotional distress is a broad term that can refer to a wide range of symptoms from a variety ...
What are the characteristics of emotional distress?
The characteristics of emotional distress may vary depending on the presence of any underlying mental health disorders. For example, in a person with borderline personality disorder, emotional distress may cause both angry outbursts and intense feelings of loneliness.
How do you know if you are emotionally distressed?
Some symptoms of emotional distress include: 1 feeling overwhelmed, helpless, or hopeless 2 feeling guilty without a clear cause 3 spending a lot of time worrying 4 having difficulty thinking or remembering 5 sleeping too much or too little 6 having changes in appetite 7 relying more heavily on mood-altering substances, such as alcohol 8 isolating from people or activities 9 experiencing unusual anger or irritability 10 experiencing fatigue 11 having difficulty keeping up with daily tasks 12 experiencing new, unexplained pain
Why do people feel emotional distress?
The causes of emotional distress vary widely, and they usually involve a combination of factors. For some people, distress is due to a traumatic experience or event, such as a death in the family. It can also result from a wide range of underlying mental health conditions.
What does a doctor ask about a person's symptoms?
To help a person identify the cause of their symptoms, a doctor may ask them about recent experiences and major life events that may be sources of distress. They may also ask about additional symptoms that could indicate a mental health disorder, such as suicidal thoughts or feelings of hopelessness.
Can mental illness cause emotional distress?
People can experience it at any time, and it is usually temporary. Mental health disorders can cause symptoms of emotional distress that persist for long periods or occur in cycles. The symptoms of emotional distress are sometimes severe and may develop into a mental health disorder.
How does mindfulness help with stress?
Some people use mindfulness meditation as a long-term strategy for dealing with stress. It typically involves focusing inward to heighten attention and self-awareness.
What Is Psychological Distress?
How did you respond to the situation? While some people may have no difficulty dealing with these events, they may trigger unpleasant feelings that make it impossible to cope and carry on with normal activities in others. For those of us who experience these unpleasant feelings and have difficulty coping , we are experiencing psychological distress.
How does psychological distress affect your life?
You may find that you no longer want to spend time with friends and find that you are not able to relate to your peers as you were able to do before. Psychological distress can also affect your relationships. You may find that you have trouble relating to your partner and have difficulty communicating with others .
How does mental illness affect your life?
Just as mental illness can influence all aspects of your life, psychological distress can also impact your functioning. Psychological distress can interfere with your work performance. For example, you may find it harder to concentrate and may find yourself easily distracted while working.
What are the symptoms of a mother's anxiety?
Yet while you experience sleep disturbances, fatigue, and sadness, your mother experiences anxiety related to driving and memory problems and avoids social activities. Other symptoms of psychological distress include: Weight gain. Anger management problems. Obsessive thoughts or compulsions.
What is the stress of major life transitions?
moving to a new state or graduating from college, can be a source of psychological stress if you are unable to cope with the demands that these transitions place on you or are having difficulty adjusting to the new situation.
Is psychological distress a continuum?
That is, the severity of psychological distress is dependent upon the situation and how we perceive it. We can think of psychological distress as a continuum with 'mental health' and 'mental illness' at opposing ends. As we continue to experience different things, we travel back and forth on the continuum at different times throughout our lives.
Does traffic cause psychological distress?
Even everyday stressors, such as traffic, have the potential to cause psychological distress. Some other sources of psychological distress include:
What are the symptoms of distress?
Fatigue and lethargy are some of the most common symptoms of distress. If you struggle to get out of bed in the morning, and feel like you're weighed down throughout the day, you could be experiencing from the adverse effects of distress. Fatigue makes it more difficult to accomplish basic tasks, which can seem overwhelming and nearly impossible.
What is distress in psychology?
Distress is generally characterized by the way in which it surpasses our ability to cope with stressful circumstances. The difference between the looming feelings of anxiety about things that we have no control over are significant contributing factors. While eustress allows us to tackle challenges in a positive way, distress highlights the ways in which we are powerless in the face of huge obstacles. Distress also happens in the wake of common events outside of our control, such as the death of a loved one, the failure of a romantic relationship, and personal or professional failure.
Why is eustress important?
While eustress allows us to tackle challenges in a positive way, it highlights the ways in which we are powerless in the face of huge obstacles. Distress also happens in the wake of common events outside of our control, such as the death of a loved one, the failure of a romantic relationship, or personal or professional failure.
What are the benefits of eustress?
Eustress can have a wealth of benefits in terms of personal achievement or mental health. It gives us the temporary boost we need in order to complete stressful but ultimately exciting, positive activities.
What does Eustress mean?
Dream big! Eustress is at its best when you're optimistic about the future. Whether you're dreaming of starting a family, rising in the ranks at work, or even just achieving a new personal best at the gym, looking at the future in a positive light can help you to reap the benefits by achieving your goals.
How does eustress affect self-efficacy?
Eustress can also significantly increase our feelings of self-efficacy, which refers to a person's belief in their ability to achieve different outcomes according to their actions. It can make us more prepared to face the challenges that come our way, big or small.
Why do we have eustress?
While other negative feelings may linger, eustress gives us a temporary boost that helps us to achieve things we set our minds to.
How to show anger, fear, indifference, and the whole range of emotions that characterize the human experience?
A great way to show anger, fear, indifference, and the whole range of emotions that characterize the human experience, is through beats. These action snippets that pepper dialogue can help describe a wide range of emotions, while avoiding lazy writing.
What does "disembodied" mean?
disembodied (adj): a disembodied voice comes from someone who you cannot see. flat (adj): spoken in a voice that does not go up and down; this word is often used for describing the speech of people from a particular region. fruity (adj): a fruity voice or laugh is deep and strong in a pleasant way.
What does strangled sound mean?
strangled (adj): a strangled sound is one that someone stops before they finish making it
What does "penetrating" mean?
penetrating (adj): a penetrating voice is so high or loud that it makes you slightly uncomfortable. plummy (adj): a plummy voice or way of speaking is considered to be typical of an English person of a high social class; this word shows that you dislike people who speak like this. quietly (adj): in a soft, quiet voice.
How does distress affect you?
Research shows that distress may affect how you make decisions and take action about health, too. You may have trouble focusing on treatment decisions, making follow-up appointments, or even taking medications that are important for your treatment . People might describe distress as feeling: Sad. Fearful.
When is distress more serious?
In some cases, a person with distress may have trouble sleeping, eating, or concentrating. Some might have frequent thoughts of illness and death.
What is distress in cancer?
Distress is an unpleasant emotion, feeling, thought, condition, or behavior. Distress can affect the way you think, feel, or act, and can make it hard to cope with having cancer, along with dealing with symptoms, treatment, and side effects. Research shows that distress may affect how you make decisions and take action about health, too.
Why do women have higher risk of distress?
Studies also show that women have a higher risk for distress, as well as people who have been physically or sexually abused in the past, or if they have a history of having a mental disorder or drug or alcohol abuse.
What does it feel like to be unable to cope?
Feeling unable to cope with pain, tiredness, and nausea. Poor concentration, “fuzzy thinking,” and sudden memory problems. Having a very hard time making decisions – even about little things. Feeling hopeless – wondering if there’s any point in going on. Thinking about cancer and/or death all the time.
Is it normal to feel distressed when you have cancer?
A certain amount of distress is normal when you or a loved one has cancer. There are many things that suddenly seem uncertain. Distress is common in people with cancer and in their family members and loved ones. In fact, everything about having cancer is stressful. So, a certain amount of distress is normal when you or a loved one has cancer.
