

Some research, including 2021 large-scale study of Finnish workers, also found that women reported more emotional distress than men. experiencing racism, discrimination, oppression, or microaggressions.dealing with escalating demands at work or toxic behavior from colleagues.losing your job, a loved one, or a familiar routine.navigating everyday ableism when living with a disability.navigating a neurotypical culture as a neurodivergent person.witnessing or experiencing traumatic events.The things that disrupt your equilibrium may be very different from the things that tend to disrupt someone who prefers working in a bustling, fast-paced environment.Ĭlements notes a few specific triggers, including: If you’re a highly sensitive person, for example, you might startle easily, become frazzled when there’s too much happening, and get rattled by change. Some people are naturally more sensitive than others. Just as symptoms of emotional distress can vary widely, so can its potential triggers.Ĭlements notes that many experiences can cause emotional distress, explaining that whether something triggers an intense emotional reaction might depend on your nervous system capacity at the time of the trigger. experiencing physical symptoms, like all-over fatigue, headaches, or stomach pain.sleep changes, including oversleeping, difficulty falling asleep, or waking up early or in the middle of the night.trouble making decisions or processing information.withdrawal from loved ones or keeping to yourself more than you typically would.declining performance at work or school.

feelings of depression, anxiety, or emotional numbness.A few to pay attention to, according to Clements, include: And your beloved activities - gardening, walking, and reading - have lost their spark.Įmotional distress can involve a range of symptoms. Leaving your friends and family has triggered an overwhelming wave of sadness and anxiety. Or, you’ve just made a cross-country move for your partner’s job. Suddenly, you feel helpless, find it tough to focus, and start missing important deadlines at work. Maybe you’re dealing with a lot of uncertainty in your life, and your usual can-do optimistic perspective takes a more pessimistic turn. Emotional distress almost always involves shifts in your typical personality and daily function, Clements explains, though the way it feels varies from person to person.
