torment

Torment refers to severe physical or mental suffering. As a noun, it denotes intense distress or pain; as a verb, to torment means to cause such suffering or to experience relentless distress. The term is often used for prolonged or acute experiences of pain, fear, guilt, or emotional agony. Etymologically, torment derives from Latin tormentum, from torquere meaning to twist or wrench.

Torment can be physical, including injury, illness, chronic pain, or torture inflicted by others. It can also be psychological or emotional, such as anxiety, depression, shame, guilt, obsessive thoughts, or social persecution. Distinctions are commonly drawn between physical torment and mental torment, and many cases involve both. In clinical contexts, torment is a descriptive term rather than a diagnosis, with more precise terms such as pain, distress, or suffering used when possible.

Historically, torment appears in theology and philosophy as a form of punishment or trial, and in religious traditions the concept of eternal torment has been a potent symbol. In literature, film, and art, torment functions as a motif representing inner conflict, moral struggle, coercion, or extraordinary hardship. Debates about torture focus on the ethical implications of causing torment to others.

Effects and management: Persistent torment can impair daily functioning and contribute to mental health disorders, including trauma- and stress-related conditions. Treatment depends on cause: medical management for physical pain; psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy for psychological distress; and supportive care, safety planning, or social services in cases of abuse. Coping strategies such as validation, social support, and resilience-building can affect the experience of torment.