I have waited an hour for 'mere emotional distress' to be defined - please define?

Question

this person has not got back to me yet - I wondered what you would define 'mere emotional distress' as. This is in the context of needing an abortion.

I was asked to link to the question I was reffering to but it seems to have been deleted - maybe for abuse?

Answer 1

I am trying to understand the context here.......If a person is merely in emotional distress it strikes me that it would be a passing sort of emotional distress and not an important factor in the decision to have an abortion. The use of the word 'mere' makes emotional distress seem trivial as it diminishes the emotional distress. If that person had said 'severe emotional distress' in regard to needing an abortion it would seem that the emotional distress would be seen as more serious in regards to abortion. Does that make sense? Sorry, I'm trying to understand the context myself.....Namaste

Answer 2

Mere emotional distress would imply that emotional distress is not very important. Emotional distress is anything that makes you feel bad mentally about either yourself, something you've done, or some situation you are in. I don't believe it's ever "mere", although some emotional distress is worse than others, like the distress of losing a loved one, or distress over realizing you have killed someone. But then, some people consider the pain they feel at not being able to buy that perfect pair of shoes to be emotional distress, too!

I don't think anyone can ever have an abortion without having some emotional distress, but this varies from person to person according to how you feel about life, when it starts, etc.

Answer 3

You mean like the "mere emotional distress" caused by a man leaving his newly pregnant girlfriend for someone else. Then the pregnant girl has a tough decision between having an abortion before it's too late, or putting her body through the extreme trauma of childbirth to either keep the baby that will forever remind her if him or giving it up for adoption, assumeing anyone wants to adopt it. In the context you're referring to, that would be one definition. And I agree, useing "mere" as an adjective to describe her emotional distress is both inaccurate and highly rude. So far abortions aren't a fun experience, and you don't HAVE to have one if you don't want one. So why try to stop someone if they feel they need one, in their best interest? Don't be a dick-tater.

Answer 4

I do not think I would apply "mere" to "emotional distress" in the context of an abortion. The word "mere" would minimalize the very real trauma of emotional distress in that situation and would be incredibly rude and insensitive.

Answer 5

Mere is to suggest that it's not that bad or very simple, but we're all aware that the longer you're emotionally distressed, the more it starts to affect you. If you're a little bit stressed out by a verbal fight with your friends, then you're "merely" emotionally stressed out.

If you're stressed out about needing an abortion, there's many websites you can look up that will show you a step-by-step of the procedures available to you, depending on how far you are along in the pregnancy. Remember that nobody but yourself can make that decision for you and if you're not ready to have a child or if you feel you're having it for the wrong reasons, remember that you don't have to.

There's counselors and people you can talk to who will help you with your stress.

If you need to talk, just send me a message. :]

Answer 6

Distress that is merely emotional.

Answer 7

mere: nothing more or other than; pure

emotional: of emotion or the emotion; showing emotion,quick to weep, be angry, etc.

distress:to cause sorrow, misery, or suffering to; make unhappy, anxious, etc.; implies mental or physical strain imposed by mental or physical turmoil

pure emotion that causes mental and/or physical strain.
(not a good thing on a person anyhow)

Answer 8

I think you should post a link to the question you are referring to.

The man had issues, not just with abortion - but with women and humanity in general, he was probably a bit mentally unstable too, to put it nicely.

Answer 9

In medical terms, stress is the disruption of homeostasis through physical or psychological stimuli. Stressful stimuli can be mental, physiological, anatomical or physical[1] reactions.

Answer 10

It means you're upset.