Legal Definition of emotional distress : a highly unpleasant emotional reaction (as anguish, humiliation, or fury) which results from another's conduct and for which damages may be sought — called also emotional harm, mental anguish, mental distress, mental disturbance, mental suffering
What is an example of emotional distress?
What are the signs of emotional distress?
- feeling overwhelmed, helpless, or hopeless.
- feeling guilty without a clear cause.
- spending a lot of time worrying.
- having difficulty thinking or remembering.
- sleeping too much or too little.
- having changes in appetite.
- relying more heavily on mood-altering substances, such as alcohol.
How can you prove emotional distress?
To prove emotional distress, attorneys must construct a winning legal argument. They may claim: Intentional infliction of emotional distress – Attorneys argue that the defendant acted “purposefully” or “recklessly.”. They contend that the conduct was so “extreme,” “shocking,” and “outrageous,” that it cannot be tolerated ...
What are the symptoms of emotional distress?
- Broad mood swings
- Changes in weight
- Chronic feelings of guilt, hopelessness, despair, or humiliation
- Issues with anger
- Compulsive behavior
- Excessive fatigue
- Withdrawal from social situations
Can I or should I sue for emotional distress?
In a courtroom setting, emotional distress is a type of general, or non-economic, damage. A plaintiff may have the right to file a claim for emotional distress if a defendant intentionally or negligently caused the distress. Emotional distress is a common damage awarded in serious personal injury claims.
What is another word for emotional upset?
Some common synonyms of upset are agitate, discompose, disquiet, disturb, fluster, and perturb. While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief.
What is another term 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.
What is a word for emotionally difficult?
Stressful: Mentally difficult; causing stress.
What is another word for mental anguish?
Some common synonyms of anguish are grief, regret, sorrow, and woe. While all these words mean "distress of mind," anguish suggests torturing grief or dread.
What is extreme emotional distress?
You suffered severe or extreme emotional distress: “Severe” emotional distress is that which is substantial or enduring. It has also been defined as a kind of distress no reasonable person is expected to endure.
What is psychological distress?
Psychological distress refers to non-specific symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression. High levels of psychological distress are indicative of impaired mental health and may reflect common mental disorders, like depressive and anxiety disorders [1].
What is another word for deeply hurt?
1 unbearable, insufferable, unendurable, agonizing, racking.
How do you describe overwhelming emotions?
Emotional overwhelm entails more than being stressed. By definition being emotionally overwhelmed means to be completely submerged by your thoughts and emotions about all of life's current problems, to the point where you lack productivity and feel frozen or paralyzed.
What does emotionally upset mean?
1 : emotionally disturbed or agitated was too upset to speak to him. 2 : affected with minor physical disturbance or disorder an upset stomach.
What is the meaning of mental agony?
mental anguish. n. mental suffering which includes fright, feelings of distress, anxiety, depression, grief and/or psychosomatic physical symptoms.
What causes mental distress?
Stressful life situations, such as financial problems, a loved one's death or a divorce. An ongoing (chronic) medical condition, such as diabetes. Brain damage as a result of a serious injury (traumatic brain injury), such as a violent blow to the head. Traumatic experiences, such as military combat or assault.
What is the meaning of mental anguish?
In reference to law, mental anguish means a relatively high degree of mental pain and suffering one party inflicts upon another.
What does in distress mean?
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. 3 of a boat, airplane, etc. : in a state of danger or desperate need The ship was in distress.
What are some examples of distress?
Examples of distressDiagnosis of a life-threatening or debilitating 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.Feeling burnt out, especially in difficult situations that won't end.
Is distress the same as stress?
Stress responses are normal reactions to environmental or internal perturbations and can be considered adaptive in nature. Distress occurs when stress is severe, prolonged, or both.
Is distress an emotion?
Distress is an unpleasant emotion, feeling, thought, condition, or behavior.
What is the definition of extreme adversity?
A person or thing that causes annoyance or difficulty. A condition of extreme adversity. Anger aroused by something perceived as an indignity, notably an offense or injustice. Behavior exhibiting excessive or uncontrollable emotion, such as fear or panic. A sudden upsetting or surprising event or experience.
What does "great disturbance" mean?
A state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty
What is the meaning of "difficulty"?
Difficulty, especially when caused by lack of money. The state of a ship or aircraft when in danger or difficulty and needing help. A state of disapproval or feeling of unfulfillment. An unpleasant emotion caused by the perception of danger, pain, or harm. The characteristic of being needy.
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 could suffering be used to replace distress?
The synonyms suffering and distress are sometimes interchangeable, but suffering implies conscious endurance of pain or distress.
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 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.
Is suffering a synonym for distress?
The synonyms suffering and distress are sometimes interchangeable, but suffering implies conscious endurance of pain or distress.
antonyms for distress
Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
How to use distress in a sentence
Their failure to act was unacceptable and affected hundreds of thousands of people, which may have caused some anxiety and distress as a result.
afflicts
Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
