Distress
A state of general suffering under pressure — its own thing, not merely a restatement of Disappointment or Grief.
How it shows up
Distress shows up under pressure that feels like too much: overlapping deadlines, a sick child at night, a crisis at work, uncertain news. People may feel agitated, overwhelmed, and unable to settle or think clearly. It signals that demands are outstripping resources. It is a broad, high-activation suffering in its own right, not reducible to a specific loss or disappointment, and it deserves to be met with care.
How it differs from Anxiety
Anxiety is diffuse worry about what might come; distress is broad suffering under pressure that is happening now.
Notice
When distress rises, notice which demands are pressing most, and whether they are arriving all at once.
Where it is felt
Felt most in the chest, stomach and throat.
Based on Nummenmaa et al. (2014), bodily maps of emotions, and related research. The map shows where people report bodily sensation, on average; individual experience varies.