distress tolerance

the level of either (a) one’s unwillingness to experience emotional distress as part of pursuing desired goals or (b) one’s inability to engage in goal-directed behaviors when experiencing distress. Low distress tolerance is related to a range of disorders, including borderline personality disorder, substance abuse, and eating disorders; some treatments (e.g., dialectical behavior therapy) are designed in part to raise an individual’s level of distress tolerance by habituating him or her to the experience of adapting to distress and other negative emotions.

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Psychology term of the day

January 3rd 2025

ring chromosome 18

a congenital chromosomal disorder characterized by microcephaly, ear and eye abnormalities, and mild to severe cognitive impairment. The condition is not hereditary but due to breakage of the arms of chromosome 18, which fuse to form one or more rings of varying sizes.