Anxiety is a feeling of fear, worry, nervousness, or unease that can arise in response to stress or a perceived threat. Everyone feels it sometimes. An anxiety disorder is different. It involves excessive or persistent anxiety that causes real distress or gets in the way of daily life.
Important: This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
This guide explains normal anxiety versus an anxiety disorder, common symptoms, possible causes, the main types of anxiety disorders, and how anxiety is diagnosed and treated. It also covers when to seek help and when anxiety becomes an emergency.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a normal emotional and physical response to stress, uncertainty, or a challenging situation. It can be temporary and even useful, sharpening focus before a big test or a job interview.
The World Health Organization (WHO) describes anxiety disorders as involving excessive fear and worry along with related behavioral disturbances. In 2023, WHO estimated that 470 million people worldwide were living with an anxiety disorder, including 146 million children and adolescents.
Anxiety vs. Normal Worry
Most people worry about health, money, work, or relationships from time to time. NIMH explains that feeling anxious is a normal part of life, but anxiety disorders involve more than occasional worry or fear. With an anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away, shows up in many situations, and can worsen over time.
Examples of everyday anxiety include:
- Feeling nervous before an exam
- Worrying about an upcoming medical appointment
- Feeling anxious before a job interview
These feelings usually ease once the situation passes. An anxiety disorder is different because the worry persists, feels hard to control, and starts interfering with normal activities.
What Is an Anxiety Disorder?
An anxiety disorder is a mental health condition involving excessive fear or worry along with related physical and behavioral symptoms. It can include persistent worry, fear, avoidance, physical tension, panic symptoms, sleep problems, and trouble concentrating, all of which can affect work, school, or relationships.
What Are the Symptoms of Anxiety?
Anxiety can affect the mind and body in several ways. Cleveland Clinic notes that anxiety disorders cause fear, dread, and other symptoms out of proportion to the situation, including physical signs such as a pounding heart and sweating.
Emotional Symptoms
- Excessive worry
- Fear or dread
- Nervousness or feeling on edge
- A sense of impending danger
- Difficulty relaxing
- Irritability
Physical Symptoms
- Rapid heartbeat or palpitations. See our guide on heart palpitations if this is your main concern.
- Sweating
- Trembling or shaking
- Muscle tension
- Shortness of breath, covered in our guide on shortness of breath
- Dizziness or lightheadedness, explained in what causes dizziness
- Nausea or stomach discomfort
- Headaches, covered in what causes headaches
- Fatigue, explained further in what causes fatigue
- Sleep difficulties
Cognitive Symptoms
- Difficulty concentrating or the mind going blank
- Racing thoughts
- Repeatedly expecting negative outcomes
- Difficulty making decisions
- Trouble controlling worry
Behavioral Symptoms
- Avoiding feared situations
- Seeking repeated reassurance
- Withdrawing from activities
- Changes in work, school, or social participation
These physical symptoms overlap with other conditions, so a new or unexplained symptom is always worth mentioning to a doctor rather than assuming it is anxiety.
What Causes Anxiety?
Anxiety does not have one single cause. It usually develops through an interaction of biological, psychological, and environmental factors.
Biological Factors
Genetics and family history can raise the likelihood of an anxiety disorder. Medical News Today notes that some people have a genetic predisposition toward anxiety, and brain and nervous-system processes also play a role. Other physical health conditions can contribute too.
Psychological Factors
Long-term stress, trauma, or adverse experiences can shape how a person’s nervous system responds to future stress. Learned fear responses and persistent negative thought patterns can also feed anxiety over time.
Environmental and Social Factors
Family or relationship difficulties, work or school pressure, financial stress, social isolation, and major life changes can all contribute. Exposure to violence or ongoing adversity raises risk as well.
Can Medical Conditions Cause Anxiety Symptoms?
Yes. Cleveland Clinic notes that a doctor may run tests to rule out physical conditions that can produce anxiety-like symptoms, such as hyperthyroidism. Certain medications, substances, and withdrawal states can also cause symptoms that resemble anxiety.
If you have new, severe, unusual, or persistent symptoms, talk with a healthcare professional rather than assuming anxiety is the cause.
What Are the Different Types of Anxiety Disorders?
WHO identifies several types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, separation anxiety disorder, and specific phobias.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
NIMH describes GAD as persistent, excessive worry that is difficult to control and occurs on most days for at least six months. It typically comes with physical symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, muscle tension, irritability, trouble concentrating, and sleep disturbance. GAD can make everyday functioning harder, even when there is no clear trigger for the worry.
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder involves recurrent panic attacks: sudden episodes of intense fear along with physical symptoms such as a racing heart, sweating, trembling, or shortness of breath. People with panic disorder often develop a fear of having another attack, which can lead to avoidance of certain places or situations.
Social Anxiety Disorder
WHO describes social anxiety disorder as excessive fear or worry centered on social situations, particularly ones involving possible scrutiny, embarrassment, humiliation, or rejection. It can affect school, work, and relationships when avoidance becomes significant.
Specific Phobias
A specific phobia is an intense, persistent fear of a particular object or situation, such as animals, heights, flying, or injections. A phobia becomes clinically significant when the fear and avoidance cause substantial distress or interfere with daily life.
Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia involves fear or avoidance of situations where a person may feel trapped, helpless, embarrassed, or unable to escape or get help, such as crowded places or public transportation.
Separation Anxiety Disorder
This involves excessive fear or worry about separation from someone the person has a strong emotional attachment to. It is common in young children but can also occur in adults.
Selective Mutism
Selective mutism mainly affects children. A child with selective mutism consistently cannot speak in particular social situations, such as school, despite being able to speak comfortably in other settings, such as at home.
Anxiety vs. Stress: What’s the Difference?
Anxiety and stress often overlap, but they are not identical. NIMH describes stress as a response to an external cause, while anxiety can occur even without a current threat.
| Anxiety | Stress |
|---|---|
| Can occur with or without an immediate external threat | Usually linked to an identifiable external stressor |
| May persist after the stressor is gone | Often improves once the stressor is resolved |
| Can become excessive or hard to control | Usually reflects a response to pressure or demands |
| May develop into an anxiety disorder | Does not automatically indicate a mental disorder |
| Can interfere with daily functioning when severe | Can also affect functioning when prolonged or severe |
Our guide on how to reduce stress covers practical strategies for everyday stress, which can also support anxiety management alongside professional care.
How Is Anxiety Diagnosed?
Do not try to diagnose yourself from a symptom checklist. Cleveland Clinic notes that no blood test or imaging scan can diagnose an anxiety disorder. A doctor may run tests first to rule out a physical cause, and a mental health professional typically completes an interview or questionnaire based on criteria from the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5.
A diagnostic evaluation usually looks at:
- Medical and mental health history
- The specific symptoms and how long they have lasted
- How often symptoms occur and how intense they are
- Triggers and avoidance behavior
- The impact on work, school, relationships, and daily activities
- A physical exam or medical evaluation when appropriate
Diagnostic criteria differ between anxiety disorders. For example, GAD requires worry that occurs on most days for at least six months, along with several associated physical or cognitive symptoms, as described above.
How Is Anxiety Treated?
Treatment for anxiety is individualized. WHO states that effective psychological treatments exist, and depending on age and severity, medicines may also be considered.
Psychotherapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most studied treatments for anxiety disorders. It helps people identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. Exposure-based approaches, often part of CBT, help people gradually and safely confront feared situations or triggers. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and other evidence-based approaches can also help, depending on the specific disorder and a person’s preferences.
Medications
A doctor may prescribe medications such as SSRIs, SNRIs, or other options appropriate for a specific diagnosis. Short-term use of certain anti-anxiety medications may be appropriate in select circumstances.
Medication should be selected and monitored by a qualified healthcare professional. This article does not recommend a specific medication or dose, since the right choice depends on the individual.
Lifestyle and Self-Care
Supportive habits include:
- Regular physical activity. See the benefits of exercise.
- Consistent, adequate sleep, covered in how to improve sleep
- Regular, balanced meals. Our guides to a balanced diet and a healthy diet can help.
- Relaxation techniques and mindfulness
- Reducing alcohol and avoiding illicit drugs
- Considering caffeine reduction if it worsens symptoms
- Staying socially connected
Self-care supports treatment. It does not replace professional care when an anxiety disorder is significantly affecting someone’s life.
When Should You Seek Help for Anxiety?
Talk with a healthcare or mental health professional if you notice:
- Anxiety that persists or repeatedly returns
- Worry that feels difficult to control
- Symptoms that interfere with work, school, relationships, or daily activities
- Avoidance of important activities
- Recurring panic attacks
- Sleep that is consistently affected
- Persistent or concerning physical symptoms
- Increasing use of alcohol or substances to cope
- Anxiety causing significant distress
You do not need to wait until anxiety becomes severe before seeking help.
Can Anxiety Be Treated?
Yes. Effective treatments are available for anxiety disorders, and many people manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life with appropriate care. WHO notes that effective treatments exist, including psychological interventions and, in some cases, medication, although access to care remains limited in many parts of the world.
Treatment response varies from person to person. Different anxiety disorders may call for different approaches. Some people benefit most from psychotherapy, some from medication, and many from a combination. Ongoing support and healthy habits can complement formal treatment, but no single approach works the same way for everyone.
How Can You Manage Anxiety Day to Day?
These strategies can support anxiety symptoms alongside treatment, not replace it:
- Maintain a regular sleep schedule.
- Stay physically active.
- Eat regular, balanced meals.
- Practice slow breathing or relaxation techniques.
- Try mindfulness or meditation.
- Stay connected with supportive people.
- Break overwhelming tasks into smaller steps.
- Identify patterns that trigger or worsen your anxiety.
- Limit alcohol and avoid illicit drugs.
- Seek professional support when symptoms persist.
Anxiety in Children and Teenagers
Anxiety disorders often begin during childhood or adolescence. In children and teens, anxiety can look different from anxiety in adults. Watch for:
- School-related worries
- Separation anxiety
- Social concerns
- Fear of making mistakes
- Physical complaints, such as stomachaches or headaches
- Avoidance of activities or situations
- Changes in school participation
- Irritability or behavioral changes
Persistent symptoms in a child or teen warrant a professional evaluation, just as they do in adults.
Anxiety and Other Health Conditions
Anxiety can coexist with other physical and mental health conditions, and symptoms can overlap. Common connections include:
- Depression: Anxiety and depression often occur together.
- Other anxiety disorders: Having one anxiety disorder raises the likelihood of another.
- Substance use: Anxiety and substance use can influence each other in both directions.
- Chronic pain: Pain conditions, including back pain, can worsen anxiety and vice versa.
- Cardiovascular conditions: Anxiety symptoms, such as chest pain or a racing heart, can overlap with heart-related symptoms, which is why new or severe chest symptoms need medical evaluation rather than assumption.
- Sleep problems: Anxiety and poor sleep frequently reinforce each other.
- Digestive symptoms: Anxiety can contribute to stomach discomfort, and our overview of common digestive problems explains other possible causes.
These are associations, not proof that one condition causes another. A healthcare professional can help sort out what is contributing to your symptoms.
When Is Anxiety an Emergency?
Seek urgent help if someone:
- Is at immediate risk of harming themselves or someone else
- Has thoughts of suicide or self-harm
- Is experiencing severe confusion or a loss of contact with reality
- Has severe symptoms that could represent a medical emergency, such as chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or fainting
In these situations, contact local emergency services, go to the nearest emergency department, reach out to a local crisis or mental health service, or stay with a trusted person who can help until further care is available. If you are in the United States and experiencing a mental health crisis, you can also call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of fear, worry, nervousness, or unease that can occur in response to stress or a perceived threat. Occasional anxiety is normal. An anxiety disorder involves excessive or persistent anxiety that causes significant distress or interferes with daily life.
What are the most common symptoms of anxiety?
Common symptoms include excessive worry, restlessness, a racing heart, muscle tension, trouble concentrating, sleep problems, and avoidance of feared situations. Symptoms vary by the specific anxiety disorder.
What causes anxiety?
Anxiety develops through an interaction of biological, psychological, and environmental factors, including genetics, brain function, past trauma, chronic stress, and major life changes. Some medical conditions and medications can also cause anxiety-like symptoms.
What are the different types of anxiety disorders?
Common types include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, agoraphobia, separation anxiety disorder, and selective mutism.
What is the difference between anxiety and stress?
Stress is usually a response to a specific external pressure and tends to ease once that pressure is resolved. Anxiety can persist even after a stressor is gone and, when excessive, may develop into an anxiety disorder.
Can anxiety cause physical symptoms?
Yes. Anxiety can cause a racing heart, sweating, trembling, muscle tension, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, headaches, and fatigue. Because these symptoms overlap with other conditions, new or severe symptoms should be evaluated by a doctor.
Can anxiety go away on its own?
Mild, situational anxiety often eases once the stressful situation passes. An anxiety disorder usually needs treatment, though symptoms can fluctuate over time.
How is anxiety diagnosed?
There is no blood test for anxiety disorders. A healthcare or mental health professional diagnoses anxiety based on your symptoms, their duration and severity, and how they affect your daily life, sometimes alongside tests to rule out physical causes.
How is anxiety treated?
Treatment often includes psychotherapy, such as CBT, medication, or a combination, along with lifestyle strategies like exercise, sleep, and relaxation techniques.
What is the best treatment for anxiety?
There is no single best treatment for everyone. The right approach depends on the specific anxiety disorder, symptom severity, personal preferences, and a professional assessment.
Can anxiety be cured?
Effective treatments can significantly reduce symptoms and improve quality of life for many people. “Cured” is not the right frame for every case, since some people manage anxiety on an ongoing basis, similar to other chronic health conditions.
When should I see a doctor about anxiety?
See a doctor or mental health professional if anxiety persists, feels hard to control, interferes with daily life, or comes with panic attacks, sleep problems, or increasing use of alcohol or substances to cope.
Can children have anxiety disorders?
Yes. Anxiety disorders often begin in childhood or adolescence and can look different in young people, including physical complaints like stomachaches and changes in school participation.
Can anxiety affect sleep?
Yes. Anxiety commonly disrupts falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. Poor sleep can also worsen anxiety, creating a cycle that treatment can help break.
Can anxiety cause panic attacks?
Yes. Panic attacks are a hallmark of panic disorder, but they can also occur with other anxiety disorders or on their own.
Key Takeaways
- Anxiety is a normal human response to stress and perceived threat.
- Anxiety disorders involve excessive or persistent anxiety that causes significant distress or interferes with daily life.
- Anxiety can produce emotional, cognitive, physical, and behavioral symptoms.
- Several anxiety disorders exist, including GAD, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, phobias, agoraphobia, and separation anxiety disorder.
- Anxiety results from interacting biological, psychological, and environmental factors.
- Effective psychological and medical treatments are available.
- Healthy habits can support anxiety management but do not necessarily replace professional treatment.
- Persistent or disruptive anxiety is a good reason to talk with a healthcare or mental health professional.
For more on supporting your overall wellbeing, see our guides on healthy living tips, how to improve your health, and how to live a healthy lifestyle.
References
- World Health Organization. Mental Disorders.
- National Institute of Mental Health. Anxiety Disorders.
- National Institute of Mental Health. Generalized Anxiety Disorder: What You Need to Know.
- Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety Disorders: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Types.
- Medical News Today. Anxiety: Symptoms, Types, Causes, Prevention, and Treatment.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about your health concerns. If you have a medical emergency, seek immediate medical attention.
Read our full Medical Disclaimer.