What term refers to a negative form of stress?

The term that refers to a negative form of stress is distress. Distress is commonly associated with feelings of anxiety, suffering, or discomfort and is the type of stress that can have harmful effects on both mental and physical health. It arises in response to challenging situations or perceived threats, leading to negative outcomes such as decreased performance, emotional instability, and even physical symptoms like headaches or fatigue.

Understanding distress is crucial because it contrasts with other terms related to stress. For example, eustress is the positive form of stress that can enhance performance and motivate individuals toward achieving their goals. Neustress refers to neutral stress, which does not have a significant impact either positively or negatively. On the other hand, hyperstress describes a condition where an individual faces an excessive amount of stress that becomes overwhelming, but it still does not encapsulate the negative implications that distress presents. Therefore, the term that specifically denotes a harmful or negative form of stress is indeed distress.