What mental state does the individual report when feeling stressed?

When an individual reports having racing thoughts in response to stress, it indicates an overwhelmed cognitive state often associated with anxiety or heightened arousal. Racing thoughts can be a common symptom when a person encounters stress, leading them to feel scattered and unable to focus. This mental state reflects an inability to process thoughts at a normal pace due to the pressure of stressors, which further compounds feelings of anxiety.

In contrast, feeling motivated, completely calm, or emotionally stable generally does not align with the experience of stress. Feeling motivated often comes from a positive stimulus or challenge rather than stress, while complete calmness and emotional stability suggest a lack of stress or anxiety.