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Distress Tolerance

Meaning

Distress Tolerance is a psychological and physiological capacity defined as the ability to endure and withstand uncomfortable emotional states, intense physical sensations, or highly stressful circumstances without resorting to immediate, often maladaptive, coping behaviors. Clinically, it represents a key component of emotional regulation and mental resilience, directly influencing the body’s chronic stress response and overall allostatic load burden. Higher distress tolerance correlates with a more stable and less reactive Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis, promoting long-term hormonal and autonomic balance. This essential capability allows an individual to navigate life’s inevitable challenges without triggering excessive, sustained hormonal cascade dysregulation.