Misery

Misery is a state of intense unhappiness or suffering that can be emotional, physical, or a combination of both. It often implies prolonged distress and a sense of hopelessness, though its duration and severity can vary. The term derives from the Old French meserie, from Latin miseria, meaning wretchedness or affliction.

Factors that contribute to misery include illness, grief, trauma, poverty, discrimination, and chronic stress. In everyday usage, misery can describe temporary discomfort as well as a more enduring condition. In clinical discussions, misery may accompany depressive disorders or anxiety states, but it is not a clinical diagnosis in itself. Coping strategies may include social support, symptom management, therapy, and, when appropriate, medical treatment. Social and economic contexts can amplify or alleviate feelings of misery, illustrating its subjective nature.

Misery appears in literature and art as a theme representing human vulnerability, endurance, or critique of social conditions. The word is also used in phrases such as the misery index to express overall economic hardship in a population.

Notable cultural works include Stephen King's 1987 novel Misery, which centers on an author held captive by an obsessive fan; its 1990 film adaptation earned critical acclaim, particularly for performance by Kathy Bates. The concept continues to appear in film, music, and philosophy as a lens on suffering, resilience, and meaning.