Emotional Distress

Emotional distress is a state of mental anguish that may involve a variety of symptoms. Emotional distress 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 of mental health disorders.

However, anyone can experience emotional distress, even if they do not meet the criteria for any psychological disorder.

Here, learn what emotional distress is, what can cause it, and what to do next.

Symptoms of emotional distress

Emotional distress is a state of emotional sufferingTrusted Source. The term encompasses a wide range of symptoms, but its hallmarks are the symptoms of depression and anxiety. 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.

Some symptoms of emotional distress include:

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

isolating from people or activities

experiencing unusual anger or irritability

experiencing fatigue

having difficulty keeping up with daily tasks

experiencing new, unexplained pain

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.

Causes of 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.

In other cases, certain situations trigger emotional distress. We give examples of these situations below:

Emotional distress at work

The workplace can be a stressful environment, and while some stress may be motivating, too much is often overwhelming.

Some causes of emotional distress related to work may include:

concerns about job security

concerns about performance

long hours

low pay

poor working conditions

increasing responsibility

a lack of control over work

relationships with colleagues or managers

Sometimes, circumstances build and combine in unexpected ways to cause distress. A person can experience this in any workplace and at all levels of an organization.

Long working hours may be a particularly potent cause of emotional distress. For example, an older studyTrusted Source from 2011 found that people working more than 55 hours a week were more likely to experience depression and anxiety in the future than those working 35–40 hours per week.

Emotional distress at home

Among the many possible causes of emotional distress at home are personal or environmental factors, such as:

experiencing relationship problems with partners, other family members, or friends

undergoing major life changes, such as moving home or having a child

living in a neighborhood that faces inequity and a deprivation of resources

having a low income

experiencing discrimination

feeling lonely or isolated

having debt

having an unhealthful lifestyle, which might involve smoking or low levels of exercise

Treatment

Emotional distress can become overwhelming and affect daily functioning. The treatment usually involves identifying the triggers and practicing techniques to reduce stress.

The triggers of emotional distress are not always obvious, and talking to family members, friends, and a therapist or counselor can help people identify them and come up with alternative ways of coping.

For example, cognitive behavioral therapy is a standard method of identifying and addressing sources of emotional distress. There are many types of this therapy, and the best type for each person depends on the situation.

Stress management strategies, including rusted Source relaxation techniques, such as box breathing and guided imagery, can also help.

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.

Making certain lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and becoming more physically active, can also help. A wide range of evidence suggests that regular exercise can help alleviate anxiety and depression.

Even light physical activity can be helpful. A 2020 study in the Lancet Psychiatry found that adolescents who engaged in light activity had a lower risk of experiencing depressive symptoms at the age of 18 years.

Learn more about different types of therapy here.

Diagnosis

There is no clinical diagnosis of emotional distress. Anyone can experience it, and it can be a part of a mental health disorder.

It can sometimes be hard to distinguish between emotional distress and depression or anxiety. 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.

Suicide prevention

If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:

Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”

Listen to the person without judgment