Normal stress versus persistent disruption & Different anxiety patterns

Normal stress versus persistent disruption

Anxiety is fear, dread, or uneasiness and can include tension, sweating, restlessness, or a pounding heart. Brief anxiety before a difficult decision or examination can be normal and sometimes improves focus. Disorders involve fear or worry that persists, may worsen, and disrupts work, school, relationships, or ordinary activities. Duration and effect on functioning matter more than simply whether a person has ever felt nervous in a stressful situation.

Different anxiety patterns

Generalized anxiety disorder involves excessive everyday worry on most days for at least six months. Panic disorder involves repeated sudden episodes of intense fear without apparent danger. Phobias involve intense fear of particular things or situations presenting little actual danger. These patterns differ in focus, timing, and circumstances. One isolated anxious event is not equivalent to a persistent disorder, and different anxiety labels are not interchangeable descriptions of the same experience.

Key concepts

Normal stress versus persistent disruption

Anxiety is fear, dread, or uneasiness and can include tension, sweating, restlessness, or a pounding heart.

Different anxiety patterns

Generalized anxiety disorder involves excessive everyday worry on most days for at least six months.

Physical symptoms and evaluation

Anxiety can involve dizziness, breathlessness, aches, racing heartbeat, avoidance, and difficult-to-control thoughts.

Psychotherapy and individualized treatment

Treatment can involve psychotherapy, medicines, or both.

References

• MedlinePlus en español — Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders