distressing events

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "distressing events" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe incidents or occurrences that cause emotional pain or discomfort. Example: "The documentary highlighted several distressing events that have impacted the community over the years."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Given that rumination is normally conceptualized as a response to negative mood, one might expect rumination to moderate and/or mediate the impact of distressing events on psychological distress.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

In responding to distressing events, they may experience empathic distress fatigue, compassion fatigue, stress, burnout, and self-criticism, which in turn can alter their ability to provide compassion to both self and others, and can create persistent self-criticism and negative rumination.

The Arts in Psychotherapy

As a result soldiers often lack a language with which to express distress (in a context in which they may witness extremely distressing events), which may result in delays in recognising and treating mental health problems.

Social Science & Medicine

The therapy isn't easy – it confronts highly distressing events and feelings, after all – but it works.

The Guardian

The situation concerning McDyess is just the latest in a series of distressing events that have plagued the Knicks recently.

The New York Times - Sports

Thurman said one of the most distressing events had been when Jordan mentioned her two children, aged six and nine, in his emails.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

In some cases, a distressing event gives rise to a more optimistic perspective; in "Smash," a serious auto accident makes an unhappily married man feel "finer than fine" about his cramped existence.

The New York Times - Books

(OK, this last distressing event took place some months ago now, but it's taken me this long to pluck up the courage to face up to it in writing).

The Guardian - Music

Post-traumatic stress disorder is an anxiety disorder caused by witnessing or being involved in a frightening or distressing event.

BBC

The K10 result,, should be interpreted with caution as entry to prison can be a distressing event but, nonetheless, the findings here are broadly consistent with the well-established high levels of poor mental health among people in prison (Butler et al. 2011b; Fazel and Danesh 2002).

Health & Justice

The word describes a profoundly disturbing or distressing event, as well as its emotional and physical after effects.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider using "distressing events" when a neutral yet impactful description is required.

Common error

Avoid pairing "distressing events" with excessively dramatic or sensational language. Let the events themselves convey the impact, rather than relying on hyperbole.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distressing events" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It is used to categorize and describe occurrences that cause emotional or psychological distress, as evidenced by examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "distressing events" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes occurrences causing emotional distress. According to Ludwig AI, it is most commonly found in scientific, news, and formal business contexts, carrying a neutral to formal tone. When using the phrase, it's advisable to avoid overly emotional language and remain mindful of the audience's potential sensitivity. Alternatives such as "traumatic incidents" or "upsetting occurrences" can be used to fine-tune the specific nuance. Overall, "distressing events" serves as a valuable tool for describing challenging and impactful situations in a clear and professional manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

traumatic incidents

Replaces "distressing" with "traumatic", emphasizing the potential for long-lasting psychological impact.

tragic occurrences

Replaces "distressing" with "tragic", emphasizing the sorrowful and lamentable nature of the events.

upsetting occurrences

Substitutes "distressing" with "upsetting" and "events" with "occurrences", providing a slightly milder tone.

troubling incidents

Uses "troubling" instead of "distressing", suggesting a cause for concern or worry.

painful experiences

Replaces "distressing" with "painful" and "events" with "experiences", focusing on the emotional suffering involved.

unfortunate episodes

Substitutes "distressing" with "unfortunate" and "events" with "episodes", framing the events as regrettable.

difficult situations

Replaces "distressing" with "difficult" and "events" with "situations", highlighting the challenging nature of the events.

adverse circumstances

Uses "adverse" instead of "distressing" and "circumstances" instead of "events", suggesting unfavorable conditions.

calamitous happenings

Replaces "distressing" with "calamitous" and "events" with "happenings", emphasizing the disastrous nature of the events.

unpleasant incidents

Substitutes "distressing" with "unpleasant", providing a more understated description of the events.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "distressing events"?

Alternatives include "traumatic incidents", "upsetting occurrences", or "troubling incidents" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "distressing events"?

The phrase is suitable for news reports, academic research, and formal discussions where a serious and concerning tone is necessary. It's often used when describing events that cause emotional pain or hardship.

Is "distressing events" a formal or informal phrase?

"Distressing events" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase. While understandable in informal settings, it's more commonly found in professional, academic, or journalistic contexts.

How can I use "distressing events" in a sentence?

You might say, "The report detailed several "distressing events" that occurred during the conflict," or "Counseling services are available for those affected by the "distressing events"."