Psychological Distress

Absent Psychological Distress

Expressions activating this band do not show a recognizable pattern of psychological distress and are largely unrelated, fragmentary, or context-specific content without clear emotional strain.

Mild Psychological Distress

Expressions activating this band show limited or intermittent strain, often as tiredness, effortful self-control, or mild burden without a sustained sense of emotional upset or being unwell.

Moderate Psychological Distress

Expressions activating this band convey noticeable emotional difficulty, including depressed mood, sluggishness, painful experience, concern about harmful habits, or self-critical thinking. The distress is clearly present but described in a contained or item-specific way.

High Psychological Distress

Expressions activating this band show persistent nervous arousal and impaired well-being, such as feeling keyed up, strung out, physically uncomfortable, sleep-disturbed, or reliant on alcohol early in the day. Distress is experienced as ongoing agitation and compromised health.

Severe Psychological Distress

Expressions activating this band portray pervasive emotional and physical depletion, including feeling downhearted, run down, irritable, overwhelmed, and ill. The distress is experienced as global dysphoria and loss of coping capacity.

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