(VOVWORLD) - Stress is something most of us experience in daily life, whether at work, at home, or in our relationships. While it can help us respond to challenges, prolonged stress may gradually take a toll on both mental and physical well-being. In this edition of Doctor at Home, we explore the different signs of everyday stress and clinical distress, and why timely support matters. Vu Anh Quan, a US-trained psychotherapist and licensed clinical social worker, shares with VOV professional insights on when stress becomes a health concern and when it may be time to seek help.
Reporter: Could you explain the difference between normal stress and clinical distress?
Psychotherapist Quan: We talked in the previous episode about stress being the body's internal alarm system, something that helps us respond to challenges. That's normal. But when the alarm stays on for too long and begins to interfere with your sleep, appetite, mood, focus, or day-to-day functioning, that's when stress shifts into clinical distress. A simple rule is, if these symptoms last more than two weeks and start affecting your life, it's no longer just stress. That's the threshold used in a DSM-5, which is a diagnostic manual for mental health disorder for many common mental health conditions. And at that point, it's important to talk to a mental health professional who can guide you through a proper assessment.
Reporter: What physical symptoms might indicate that someone's stress level has reached a concerning point?
Psychotherapist Quan: Clinical distress doesn't just affect the mind, it shows up strongly in the body. People may notice big changes in appetite, sex drive, sleep, or energy levels. Others may experience heart palpitations, digestive issues, frequent illnesses, muscle tension, or headaches. Because these symptoms overlap with many medical conditions, it's essential to rule out physical causes first. A doctor or healthcare provider will usually take a full medical history before concluding that symptoms are driven by stress, distress, acute stress, or another stress-related disorder. The key message is, your body often signals distress before your mind admits it.
Reporter: Many people downplay their struggles or believe they should just handle it. Why is it so hard for individuals to recognize when they need help?
Psychotherapist Quan: Many people downplay their struggles because stress confuses our internal compass. When you're under pressure, your brain switches into just-push-through mode, and that mode is great for short-term survival, but terrible for self-reflection. On top of that, many of us grew up with the belief that needing help means that we're weak or not trying hard enough. So instead of listening to our body signals, we power through them until the symptoms get too loud to ignore. And of course, there's also fear. Fear of being judged, fear of being labeled, fear of what it might mean if we finally slow down and look honestly at how we're doing. But recognizing when you need support isn't a failure. It's a sign that you're paying attention. It's the moment that you choose to care for yourself instead of running on empty.
Reporter: At what point should somebody consider seeking professional support?
Psychotherapist Quan: There are hundreds of mental health diagnoses, but around 15 percent of people worldwide experience what we call common mental health disorder, mostly depression and anxiety. Mental health professionals often use a simple screener called a PHQ-4 or the patient health questionnaire four items, which asks four short questions about stress, worry, low mood, and loss of interest. If any of these symptoms are happening more days than not for at least two weeks, it's a good sign to reach out for support. You don't need to wait for a crisis. Seeking help early often leads to a faster recovery and a much gentler healing process.
The full questionnaire is as follows. In the past two weeks, how often have you been? Number one, having little interest and pleasures in doing things. Number two, feeling down, depressed, or hopeless. Number three, feeling anxious, nervous, on edge. Number four, not being able to control or stop worrying. So stress is something all of us deal with, but distress is a sign that your system needs care, not judgment.
When you sleep, appetite, energy, or mood start changing, and the changes linger. That's your mind and body asking for support. Reaching out to a professional doesn't mean something is wrong with you. It simply means you're paying attention to your health the same way you would if you noticed chest pain or chronic fatigue. The sooner we recognize distress, the easier it is to treat, and the more fully we can return to our relationships, our work, and our daily life with a clear head and a steady heart.
Reporter: Thank you, psychotherapist Quan, for sharing such clear and compassionate insights. Understanding the difference between everyday stress and clinical distress can make a real difference in how we care for ourselves and those around us. We appreciate you helping our listeners recognize the signs early and reminding us that seeking support is a strength, not a weakness.
Psychotherapist Quan: Thank you for joining me, and I look forward to exploring more everyday mental health topics with you in the next episode. Take a breathe, take a pause, and take good care.
Box: Psychotherapist Vu Anh Quan is a clinical social worker and a former project lead of a five-year National Institute of Health-funded mental health program that supported more than 1,600 adults living with depression in northern Vietnam. He has been working closely with community health providers and saw firsthand how everyday stress can quietly evolve into distress, the kind that affects sleep, relationships, and work. He is currently a contracted speaker for Intellect Vietnam, an adjunct practicum instructor for the Advanced Psychological Counseling course for master’s-level social work students at Hanoi University of Public Health, and a guest lecturer at Vin University.