How to prevent stress from escalating into distress
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A few years ago, I had a bad day at work. My boss and I disagreed on a major financial investment and the conversation escalated. They criticized my working style and said that I just didn't have enough experience to understand the decision. And I took those comments personally.
I remember walking out of the office feeling anxious and panicked. And what was strange was that I couldn't seem to snap out of it — those emotions hung over me for weeks. I eventually had to reach out to a therapist for help.
It turns out I was experiencing distress, says Dr. Kali Cyrus, a Washington, D.C.- based psychiatrist. It's what happens when you experience negative emotions and physical symptoms like stress, fatigue and anxiety over a long period of time, to the point that it affects your everyday life.
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