personal distress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "personal distress" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an individual's emotional or psychological suffering or discomfort. Example: "The report highlighted the impact of personal distress on mental health and well-being."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sharing the patient's emotions (sympathy) can lead to empathic overarousal or personal distress (an aversive self-focused emotional reaction to the apprehension of another person's emotional state) [ 22].

BMC Family Practice

Still, her professional triumphs continued to be tempered by personal distress.

The New York Times - Sports

They have asked him to take a personal distress beacon and emergency flares, just in case.

The Guardian

We have seen evidence of financial loss and personal distress to many people.

The Guardian - Money

Works of happiness, joyfulness, serenity, and even lightness have emerged from periods of great personal distress.

The Guardian - Books

This prayer, our prayer, can always support and transform personal distress".

The Guardian - Sport

From the crucible of personal distress some exceptional talents can forge art: that is all.

Independent

He took an activist's stance, however, by transforming personal distress into public protest.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the evidence, there was no mention of any personal distress on his part.

Independent

He has suffered significant personal distress as a result of this incident, through no fault of his own.

The Guardian

These will be reproduced inaccurately on the front page, thereby causing maximum personal distress to all concerned.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In sensitive contexts, ensure that using "personal distress" aligns with ethical considerations and avoids causing further emotional harm.

Common error

Avoid using "personal distress" interchangeably with empathy. While empathy involves understanding another's feelings, "personal distress" refers to your own feelings of discomfort or anxiety when witnessing someone else's suffering.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "personal distress" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It describes a state of emotional or psychological suffering. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a usable term in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "personal distress" is a versatile noun phrase used to describe emotional or psychological suffering. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in English. It appears frequently in various contexts, including news, scientific research, and encyclopedias. When writing, be mindful of the distinction between "personal distress" and related concepts like empathy. Consider using alternative phrases such as "emotional suffering" or "mental anguish" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. The phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emotional suffering

Focuses specifically on the suffering aspect, omitting the broader sense of difficulty.

mental anguish

Emphasizes the mental or psychological pain experienced.

psychological distress

Highlights the psychological aspect of the distress.

emotional discomfort

Subtler, indicating unease rather than severe suffering.

personal hardship

Shifts the focus to the difficult circumstances causing the distress.

inner turmoil

Focuses on the internal state of confusion and distress.

mental distress

Highlights the mental aspect of the experienced distress.

emotional pain

Directly addresses the painful emotional experience.

private grief

Specifically refers to sorrow and mourning experienced personally.

subjective suffering

Focuses on the individual's experience of suffering.

FAQs

How can I use "personal distress" in a sentence?

You can use "personal distress" to describe someone's emotional suffering or discomfort. For instance, "The study revealed that financial hardship often leads to significant "personal distress"".

What are some synonyms for "personal distress"?

Alternatives to "personal distress" include "emotional suffering", "mental anguish", or "psychological distress". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is "personal distress" a formal or informal expression?

"Personal distress" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. Its versatility makes it suitable for academic papers, news reports, and everyday conversations.

What's the difference between "personal distress" and "empathy"?

"Personal distress" refers to your own feelings of anxiety or discomfort in response to another's suffering, while "empathy" is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. They are related but distinct concepts.