CIPSRT | Stress / Stressor / Stressful event

Glossary of Terms

Stress, stressor, and stressful event are currently not listed as diagnoses in the DSM-5-TR or ICD-11.
Stress means the way you feel or look like you feel when you are affected by a stressor.
Stress is a common experience, and some stress can be a good thing if it leads to growth and adaptation; however, stress can result in psychological trauma.
When you are experiencing a stressful event, you are being impacted by one or more stressors that are putting pressure on you physically or mentally. If the experience is severe enough, the stress may result in a psychological trauma that can lead to a mental health condition, such as posttraumatic stress disorder.
Stress, stressor, and stressful event are often used interchangeably to refer to a potentially psychologically traumatic event or an adverse childhood experience.

Stress, stressor, and stressful event are currently not listed as diagnoses in either the DSM-5-TR or ICD-11.
Stress describes the experience a person has while being impacted by one or more stressors. Stress is often characterized by psychological distress and physiological changes (e.g. increased heart rate, shallow breathing, muscle tension).
Stress is a common experience and some stress can be beneficial if the stress leads to growth and adaptation; however, stress can also result in psychological trauma.
A stressor is a physical, radiological, biological, socioeconomic, or psychological force that acts upon a person during events such as a motor vehicle accident, loss of an important relationship, loss of employment, confronting an attacker, dealing with financial loss, or adverse childhood experiences.
During a psychologically stressful event, a stressor causes an emotional experience, which is accompanied by predictable biochemical, physiological, and behavioural changes.
The word stress is often used synonymously, sometimes mistakenly and confusingly, when people are referring to traumatic stress, psychological trauma, a mental health condition, or a mental disorder associated with experiencing a stressful event.
Stress, stressor, and stressful event are often used interchangeably to refer to a potentially psychologically traumatic event or an adverse childhood experience.