Distress (medicine)

In medicine, distress is an aversive state in which a person is unable to completely adapt to difficult situations and their resulting effects and shows maladaptive behaviors.^[1] It can be evident in the presence of various phenomena, such as inappropriate social interaction (e.g., aggression, passivity, or withdrawal).

Distress is the opposite of eustress, a positive emotion that motivates people.

^ National Research Council; Institute for Laboratory Animal Research; Committee on Pain and Distress in Laboratory Animals (1992). "Introduction". Recognition and Alleviation of Pain and Distress in Laboratory Animals. Washington, DC: National Academies Press. p. 4. doi:10.17226/1542. ISBN 978-0-309-07525-1. PMID 25144086.

[1] National Research Council; Institute for Laboratory Animal Research; Committee on Pain and Distress in Laboratory Animals (1992). "Introduction". Recognition and Alleviation of Pain and Distress in Laboratory Animals. Washington, DC: National Academies Press. p. 4. doi:10.17226/1542. ISBN 978-0-309-07525-1. PMID 25144086.

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