in a bad way vs distressed

in a bad way and distressed both are adjectives.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
in a bad way	No	Yes	No	No
distressed	No	Yes	No	No

As adjectives, in a bad way and distressed are synonyms defined as:

in a bad way and distressed: facing or experiencing financial trouble or difficulty

Other synonyms of in a bad way include hard-pressed, hard put.

in a bad way (adjective)	distressed (adjective)
facing or experiencing financial trouble or difficulty	generalized feeling of distress
	facing or experiencing financial trouble or difficulty
	afflicted with or marked by anxious uneasiness or trouble or grief
	suffering severe physical strain or distress