I was checking some artciles in which I read that psychological distress is just about depression and anxiety; meanwhile psycholigical disorders are all those which we can find in DSM V and ICD 10 for example. Is that true?
In some cases, I have came to know that those two terms were equal.
What do you think? Where can I find more information about both?
If you're in clinical practice, you cannot make a diagnosis of "psychological distress." You are challenged to come up with a complete list of symptoms, which as a group may warrant a diagnosis from DSM or ICD. It's possible to have a disorder without experiencing distress. Psychopaths probably don't present with much distress, but they have a psychological disorder. One might have considerable distress without warranting a diagnosis, as in the case of grief, which is similar to depression but wouldn't warrant a "diagnosis." But your question is also one that reflects only a rudimentary understanding of psychopathology. I'd suggest you start reading in some reliable sources, such as a current psychopathology textbook, or consult The National Institutes of Mental Health at https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/index.shtml
Let me give you more context. I am researching about two variables: sexual harrasment and psychological distress in women. (Of course you are right in your assumption that I have a rudimentary knowledge of psychopathology) At first, I thought that psychological distress meant mental disorders. Last week, I realized that psychological distress is just related to depression and anxiety (Stein, D. J., Phillips, K. A., Bolton, D., Fulford, K. W., Sadler, J. Z., Kendler, K. S., & Stein, D. J., Phillips, K. A., Bolton, D., Fulford, K. W. M., Sadler, J. Z., & Kendler, K. S. (2010). What is a Mental/Psychiatric Disorder? From DSM-IV to DSM-V. Psychological Medicine, 40(11), 1759–1765). Look also here (Drapeau, A., Marchand, A., & Beaulieu-Prévost, D. (2012). Epidemiology of Psychological Distress. In InTech (Ed.), Mental Illnesses Understanding, Prediction and Control.)
Now, English is not my mother tongue, I am translating from English to Spanish... so maybe my confussion comes from a bad translation.
The point is that the word psychological distress meant a complete different thing to me until I read this article "Prevalence of physical, verbal and nonverbal sexual harassments and their association with psychological distress among Jimma University female students: a cross-sectional study". Here, I realized that distress is not the same as psychological distress, and later I thought that psycholigcal distress was the same as psychological disorder, but now it seems clear that they are not the same thing.
I hope to have been understandable.
It can certainly be confusing in the literature. Here's my interpretation:
In the psycho-oncology literature "Distress" is defined as a negative psychological experience which can come from many sources - physical, social and psychological problems. "Distress" is occurs on a continuum from mild / normal levels to severe. Anxiety and depression would be severe forms of distress.
I agree with you Kerrie Clover about your interpretation. Keep in mind, however, that I want to know more about "psychological distress" and not just "distress". I would like to think that I just have to add to the definition of distress you provided the adjective psychological but sadly it is not that easy.
What is the difference between psychological distress and mental disorder?
I think if you are only interested in psychological distress you can just state that.
Re The difference between psych distress and mental disorder - would be that psych distress is a much more general term and would cover lower levels of "symptoms". As Hendrika said above - "If you're in clinical practice, you cannot make a diagnosis of "psychological distress.""
May be this can help:
Psychiatric distress refers to the unique discomforting, emotional state experiencing by an individual in response to a specific stressor or demand that results in harm, either temporary or permanent to the person (Sheila ridner 2004).
1) Psychological distress is a result/outcome. Cause can be anything starting with an external stressor, palliative care stage of cancer, depression, anxiety or any other mental illness, chronic bedridden condition of illness, criminal children, etc.
2) The severity of psychological distress can be ranged from mild-moderate-severe. The severity can be fluctuating depending upon the situation the individual is fighting.
3) However, it is not considered as a diagnosed mental disorder either by DSM-5/ICD-11. Like crying or excessive crying can not be a diagnosis, as it is because of something.
4) Psychological distress can be defined as a unique but intense painful emotional state of mind where a mixed symptoms of depression and anxiety are experienced.
5) Psychological distress and distress is more or less are synonymous.
6) Even a patient can be psychologically very much distressed due to commanding hallucinations (as part of schizophrenia) or obsessive thoughts (as part of OCD). The individual may not fulfil the diagnostic criteria of either depression or anxiety. psychological distress may be due to everyday life struggle to cope with everyday life, Feeling inferior to others and Losing one’s grip on life.
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