Final answer:
Distress is the term for the negative, debilitating form of stress most commonly associated with the general concept of stress. It results from stress levels surpassing an optimal threshold, leading to decreased performance and general well-being. Eustress, on the contrary, is the positive form of stress that enhances performance and is beneficial.
Step-by-step explanation:
In technical terms, distress is what most people think of when they hear the word stress. When stress exceeds the optimal level, it enters the distress zone, which Selye termed distress, coming from the Latin dis meaning "bad". This form of stress is negative and debilitating, leading to feelings of being burned out, fatigue, exhaustion, and a decline in performance. An example of distress is severe test anxiety that negatively affects concentration and test scores.
On the other hand, eustress is a positive form of stress that is associated with positive feelings, optimal health, and performance. It occurs when the stress level is moderate and can improve performance and general well-being, like the beneficial stress experienced by athletes before a game or students before a major exam.
Chronic stress refers to stressors that persist over an extended period of time and may include situations like caring for a chronically ill relative or experiencing long-term unemployment. Acute stress, however, involves brief, intense events that can be overwhelming, such as an injury or a particularly stressful incident. Stressors, whether chronic or acute, can lead to a range of physiological and psychological responses.