Distress Intolerance

Distress intolerance entails a fear of negative emotions and strong urge to escape them, especially when symptoms, like pain, occur or worsen in response to stress. It can lead to anxiety, depression, substance misuse, and eating disorders and is usually caused by both biological and environmental factors. Strategies to moderate distress intolerance include self-soothing, weighing pros and cons, radical acceptance, distraction, and exercise. Also see Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)