Most people use stress and distress interchangeably, but they are not the same in degree. Stress is a physiological response to a situation that demands a reaction, such as a threat. In the short term, it triggers hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline to get you moving.
Distress, however, is the prolonged and severe response triggered by sustained exposure to stress. It creates tension and discomfort, presenting its sufferer with situations they cannot handle. Long exposure to stress hormones can lead to psychological and physical disorders such as anxiety and back pain.