Distress (medicine) facts for kids
In medicine, distress is a feeling you get when you are having a really hard time dealing with stress. It's like your body and mind are struggling to keep up with tough situations. When you're in distress, you might act in ways that don't really help the situation. Often, you know you're struggling and it can make you feel even worse.
Distress is the opposite of eustress, which is a good kind of stress that can actually motivate you and help you do well.
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What is Distress?
Distress happens when the challenges you face feel too big to handle. Imagine you have a lot of homework, a big test, and a disagreement with a friend all at once. If you feel completely overwhelmed and can't figure out how to manage it, that's distress. It's more than just feeling stressed; it's when the stress becomes too much to cope with in a healthy way.
When you're distressed, you might feel very worried, sad, or even angry. It can make everyday tasks feel much harder.
What Causes Distress?
Many things can cause distress. For young people, common causes include:
- School pressure: Like tough exams or a lot of homework.
- Friends and social life: Dealing with arguments or feeling left out.
- Family changes: Such as moving to a new place or changes at home.
- Big life events: Even sad events like losing a pet or a loved one.
When someone feels distressed for a long time, it can make them feel unwell, both in their mind and body. It's important to know that these feelings are real and can affect your health.
How to Deal with Distress
There are many ways people try to handle distress. Some ways are helpful and can make you feel better, while others might seem to help at first but can cause more problems later.
Positive Ways to Cope
Good ways to deal with distress include:
- Listening to music: Calming songs can help you relax.
- Calming exercises: Like deep breathing or simple stretches.
- Creative activities: Such as drawing, coloring, or writing.
- Sports and physical activity: Exercise can help clear your mind and release tension.
- Talking to someone: Sharing your feelings with a trusted adult, like a parent, teacher, or counselor, can make a big difference.
Less Helpful Ways to Cope
Sometimes, people try to cope in ways that aren't good for them in the long run. These might include:
- Avoiding problems: Pretending a problem isn't there often makes it worse.
- Getting very angry: While it's okay to feel angry, expressing it in harmful ways can lead to more problems with friends or family.
- Unhealthy habits: Doing things that might seem to help you forget your worries for a short time but can cause more trouble later on.
It's always best to choose positive ways to deal with distress and to ask for help if you're feeling overwhelmed.
See also
In Spanish: Distrés para niños
