No, emotional distress alone typically cannot justify a claim for defamation. Defamation claims require proof of harm to one’s reputation resulting in special damages, typically financial loss. Emotional distress may be part of a different cause of action like intentional infliction of emotional distress if the conduct was particularly outrageous.
For example: If an individual suffers embarrassment and anxiety after being defamed but does not incur any financial loss, they generally cannot claim defamation on this basis alone.