Symptoms of anxiety and depression in persons who do not fit an established criteria of psychological disorder. Psychological distress is thought to be mistaken for depression by some patients self reporting their condition. In fact, psychological distress may be a product of normal mood fluctuations in functioning individuals. However, it is possible the condition is a warning flag of an impending major depressive event for those vulnerable to such events.
PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS: "The patient presented with psychological distress when she checked into the hospital."
