Mental suffering
Psychological distress is a subjectively difficult emotional or cognitive state that may reduce well-being and daily functioning.
Definition
Psychological distress may include sadness, anxiety, despair, tension, loss of meaning, overload, or inner pain. Not all suffering indicates a mental disorder, but if it is intense, long-lasting or interferes with sleep, work, relationships or safety, it is worth seeking professional support. A reliable description of suffering should neither pathologize nor downplay it.
Key ideas
- The subjective weight of experience
- Impact on functioning
- Need for support when worsening
Practice and life
Name the condition as specifically as possible: what I feel, since when, how it affects sleep, eating, relationships and action.
Common misconceptions
It is a mistake to pretend that mental suffering is a weakness. The second mistake is to replace specialist help with reflection alone when the symptoms are serious.
> Mental suffering does not have to be visible from the outside to be real.
> — Guru Element
Questions for self-reflection
- How long does this condition last?
- Does suffering limit my daily functioning?
- Who can be a safe source of support?