What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a feeling of worry, particularly in a new or stressful situation. It sometimes causes other symptoms, such as poor sleep or loss of appetite and, in extreme cases, may give rise to panic attacks which can include periods of dizziness, short breath, and sweating. It can be constant, or it may be triggered by certain situations, such as going to new places. Anxiety can also be a sign of depression.

Although anxiety is a biologically useful reaction to threatening situations, if it exceeds certain levels and durations, and impedes active participation in life, it is regarded as a disorder.

Did you know?

It was only in 1980 that anxiety disorders were first recognised by the American Psychiatric Association. Prior to this, people experiencing an anxiety disorder usually received a generic diagnosis of 'stress' or 'nerves', and so very few people received effective treatment.

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank the following for their contributions to this information:

Professor Heiner Ellgring, Institute for Psychology, Würzburg University, Germany