Final answer:
The condition where the demands exceed an individual's coping abilities, especially with a high need for achievement, is termed as stress. When stress is optimal, it can improve performance, but excessive levels lead to distress and burnout, characterized by a decline in performance and health.
Step-by-step explanation:
The condition described in the student's question occurs when the pressure placed upon an individual surpasses their capacity to manage, especially when they possess a strong desire for success. The correct term for this condition is stress. Stress manifests in various forms, ranging from eustress, which is the positive stress that can enhance one's performance, to distress, which is detrimental and can lead to decreased performance and burnout.
Stress becomes particularly problematic when the individual perceives that the demands exceed their coping abilities, a scenario common in high-pressure work environments. This situation can lead to a chronic state known as job strain, which can have severe health consequences and contribute to job burnout, characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and diminished personal accomplishment.
As the stress level goes beyond what is considered optimal, it is no longer beneficial but rather incapacitating, resulting in fatigue, exhaustion, and a decline in job performance. This excessive stress is what leads to the term distress signifying adverse, debilitating stress.