Mental distress

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Mental distress or psychological distress encompasses the symptoms and experiences of a person's internal life that are commonly held to be troubling, confusing or out of the ordinary. Mental distress can potentially lead to a change of behavior, affect a person's emotions in a negative way, and affect their relationships with the people around them. [1]

Contents

Certain traumatic life experiences (such as bereavement, [2] harassment, [3] stress, [4] lack of sleep, [5] assault, abuse, [6] or accidents can cause mental distress. Those who are members of vulnerable populations might experience discrimination that places them at increased risk for experiencing mental distress as well. This may be something which resolves without further medical intervention, though people who endure such symptoms longer term are more likely to be diagnosed with mental illness. Some users of mental health services prefer the term "mental distress" in describing their experience as they feel it better captures that sense of the unique and personal nature of their experience, while also making it easier to relate to, since everyone experiences distress at different times. The term also fits better with the social model of disability.

Differences from mental disorder

Some mental health practitioners use the terms "mental distress" and "mental disorder" interchangeably. [7] However, it can be argued that there are fundamental variations between mental distress and mental disorder. "Mental distress" has a wider scope than the related term "mental illness", which refers to a specific set of medically defined conditions. A person in mental distress may exhibit some of the broader symptoms described in psychiatry, without actually being 'ill' in a medical sense. [8] People with mental distress may also exhibit temporary symptoms on a daily basis, while patients diagnosed with mental disorder may potentially have to be treated by a psychiatrist.

Types

The following are types of major mental distress: [9]

Some scholars believe that distress is a temporary scenario that relates to specific stressors that goes away when the stressor is removed or as the person adapts to the particular stressor. Only if the distress is excessive or persistent would it be suggestive of a mental disorder. [10]

Symptoms

Mental distress is a broad term, as such there are a number of symptoms associated with it: [11]

Causes

As mental distress is a broad term, there are many causes, some common causes are abuse, harassment and bereavement.

Abuse

Research has shown that children who experience trauma and abuse are more likely to suffer from mental distress as adults. [12] Research involving domestic violence victims has shown that emotional abuse was associated with (and therefore likely a cause of) mental distress. [13]

Harassment

Different types of harassment can cause mental distress. After being exposed to sexual harassment research has shown the risk of mental distress increases. [14]

Bereavement

Losing people you care about and love, is usually mentally distressing and upsetting. Many studies have shown that a sudden and violent loss of a loved one can impact the mental health of people that are bereaved. This can cause mental distress and illness, such as PTSD. [15]

Stigma

There is often considerable stigma associated with mental distress. People generally underreport feeling psychological distress. [16] [17]

Demographic and societal factors

Avoidance is pronounced in some members of ethnic minority groups because they are less likely to seek mental health treatment. Some immigrants feel stigmatized because they're undocumented which can result in treatment not being accessed. [18]

Disparity in regards to the treatment of Black Americans has resulted in an increase of mental distress. Seeking help and support is impacted by a lack of resources and knowledge in the community. [19]

LGBTQ+ community

Those who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community have a higher risk of experiencing mental distress, sometimes as a result of discrimination and victimization. This discrimination has the potential of affecting their feelings of self-worth and confidence, leading to anxiety, depression, and even suicidality. This community may refrain from seeking mental health care due to past discrimination by medical professionals. There are age based disparities within the community as most research and funding is focused on the younger LGBTQ+ population. [20] A study published in 2021 found that "LGBTQ+ students experienced more bullying and psychological distress". [21]

References

  1. Medicine, Institute of; Health, Board on Neuroscience and Behavioral; Terrorism, Committee on Responding to the Psychological Consequences of (2003-08-26). Preparing for the Psychological Consequences of Terrorism: A Public Health Strategy. National Academies Press. ISBN   978-0-309-16792-5.
  2. Katherine M. Keyes; Charissa Pratt; Sandro Galea; Katie A. McLaughlin; Karestan C. Koenen; M. Katherine Shear (August 1, 2015). "The Burden of Loss: Unexpected death of a loved one and psychiatric disorders across the life course in a national study". American Journal of Psychiatry. 171 (8): 864–871. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.13081132 . PMC   4119479 . PMID   24832609.
  3. Rospenda, Kathleen M.; Richman, Judith A.; McGinley, Meredith; Moilanen, Kristin L.; Lin, Tracy; Johnson, Timothy P.; Cloninger, Lea; Shannon, Candice A.; Hopkins, Thomas (2023-07-26). "Effects of chronic workplace harassment on mental health and alcohol misuse: a long-term follow-up". BMC Public Health. 23 (1): 1430. doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-16219-0 . ISSN   1471-2458. PMC   10373226 . PMID   37495970.
  4. "Emotional distress: What are the causes and symptoms?". www.medicalnewstoday.com. 2020-11-27. Retrieved 2025-08-29.
  5. "How Sleep Deprivation Impacts Mental Health". Columbia University Department of Psychiatry. 2022-03-14. Retrieved 2025-08-29.
  6. Weaver, Terri L.; Clum, George A. (1995). "Psychological distress associated with interpersonal violence: A meta-analysis". Clinical Psychology Review. 15 (2): 115–140. doi:10.1016/0272-7358(95)00004-9. ISSN   0272-7358.
  7. Goldberg D (December 2000). "Distinguishing mental illness in primary care. Mental illness or mental distress?". BMJ. 321 (7273): 1412, author reply 1413. doi:10.1136/bmj.321.7273.1412. PMC   1119126 . PMID   11187100.
  8. "Mental Distress Changes". Changes.org.uk. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
  9. "Understanding distress - Change Mental Health". 24 July 2024. Retrieved 2025-08-29.
  10. Phillips, Michael R. (8 June 2009). "Is distress a symptom of mental disorders, a marker of impairment, both or neither?". World Psychiatry: Official Journal of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA). 8 (2): 91–92. ISSN   1723-8617. PMC   2691169 . PMID   19516930.
  11. Kandola, Aaron (11 November 2024). "Emotional distress: What are the causes and symptoms?". www.medicalnewstoday.com. Retrieved 2025-08-29.
  12. Min, Meeyoung; Farkas, Kathleen; Minnes, Sonia; Singer, Lynn T. (2007). "Impact of childhood abuse and neglect on substance abuse and psychological distress in adulthood". Journal of Traumatic Stress. 20 (5): 833–844. doi:10.1002/jts.20250. ISSN   1573-6598. PMC   10228566 . PMID   17955535.
  13. Ramos, Blanca M.; Carlson, Bonnie E. (2004-08-01). "Lifetime Abuse and Mental Health Distress Among English-Speaking Latinas". Affilia. 19 (3): 239–256. doi:10.1177/0886109904265790. ISSN   0886-1099.
  14. Bastiani, Federica; Romito, Patrizia; Saurel-Cubizolles, Marie-Josephe (7 July 2018). "Mental distress and sexual harassment in Italian university students". Archives of Women's Mental Health. 22 (2): 229–236. doi:10.1007/s00737-018-0886-2. ISSN   1435-1102. PMID   29982947.
  15. Kristensen, Pål; Weisæth, Lars; Heir, Trond (March 2012). "Bereavement and Mental Health after Sudden and Violent Losses: A Review". Psychiatry: Interpersonal and Biological Processes. 75 (1): 76–97. doi:10.1521/psyc.2012.75.1.76. ISSN   0033-2747. PMID   22397543.
  16. Klein, Jack W; Tyler-Parker, Garrett; Bastian, Brock (2021). "Measuring psychological distress among Australians using an online survey". Australian Journal of Psychology. 72 (3): 276–282. doi:10.1111/ajpy.12283.
  17. Rickwood, Debra J.; Coleman-Rose, Cassandra L. (2023). "The effect of survey administration mode on youth mental health measures: Social desirability bias and sensitive questions". Heliyon. 9 (9): e20131. Bibcode:2023Heliy...920131R. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20131 . PMC   10559918 . PMID   37809858.
  18. DeFreitas SC, Crone T, DeLeon M, Ajayi A (February 2018). "Perceived and Personal Mental Health Stigma in Latino and African American College Students". Frontiers in Public Health. 6 49. Bibcode:2018FrPH....6...49D. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2018.00049 . PMC   5834514 . PMID   29536000.
  19. "Black & African American Communities and Mental Health". Mental Health America. 6 November 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  20. Hoy-Ellis CP, Ator M, Kerr C, Milford J (2016). "Innovative Approaches Address Aging and Mental Health Needs in LGBTQ Communities". Generations (San Francisco, Calif.). 40 (2): 56–62. PMC   5375170 . PMID   28366982.
  21. Hobaica S, Kwon P, Reiter SR, Aguilar-Bonnette A, Scott WD, Wessel A, Strand PS (December 2021). "Bullying in schools and LGBTQ+ youth mental health: Relations with voting for Trump". Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy. 21 (1): 960–679. doi:10.1111/asap.12258.

Further reading