What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
trauma
Example
The car accident left her with emotional trauma. [trauma: noun]
Example
He suffered a head trauma during the football game. [trauma: noun]
distress
Example
The news of her father's death caused her great distress. [distress: noun]
Example
He was distressed by the pain in his knee. [distressed: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Distress is more commonly used in everyday language than trauma. Distress is a general term that can be applied to a wide range of situations, while trauma is more specific and often used in medical or psychological contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between trauma and distress?
Both trauma and distress can be used in formal or informal contexts, but trauma is more likely to be used in medical or psychological settings, where it has a more technical connotation.
