What is anxiety?
Anxiety is an intense state of worry, fear or tension in response to a real or perceived threat. When it occurs persistently without a specific cause, or disrupts daily functioning, it is referred to as an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety & Burnout
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What is Anxiety? Symptoms and How to Recognise It in Yourself
Constant tension, thoughts that won't let you sleep, a nameless dread you can't quite explain — these could all be signs of anxiety.
What is anxiety?
The word "anxiety" comes from the Latin anxietas — meaning to be squeezed or choked. Medically, anxiety is an intense state of worry, fear or tension in response to a real or perceived threat.
Some anxiety is completely normal. Nerves before an exam, excitement ahead of an important interview, apprehension when making a risky decision — these are all healthy, functional forms of anxiety. They motivate us and keep us safe.
The problem arises when anxiety appears without a genuine threat, persists over time, or begins to disrupt everyday life.
What are the symptoms of anxiety?
Anxiety symptoms fall into three groups: physical, emotional and behavioural.
Physical
- • Palpitations, racing heart
- • Sweating, trembling
- • Shortness of breath, choking feeling
- • Nausea, digestive issues
- • Muscle tension, headaches
- • Sleep difficulties, chronic fatigue
Emotional
- • Persistent sense of dread
- • Feeling something will go wrong
- • Irritability and tension
- • Fear of losing control
- • Difficulty concentrating
- • Mind going blank
Behavioural
- • Avoiding triggers
- • Excessive checking or planning
- • Seeking reassurance
- • Withdrawing socially
- • Procrastinating on anxious tasks
- • Over-relying on distractions
How common is it?
Approximately 1 in 4 people will experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives, making it the most common mental health condition globally. (WHO)
Normal anxiety vs an anxiety disorder
The line can be hard to draw. The following factors suggest anxiety may have crossed into a clinical disorder:
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Duration: longer than six weeks
If worry persists even after the stressor has passed, that is a significant signal.
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Disproportionate intensity
When the level of worry is out of proportion to the actual threat and is hard to control.
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Disrupted daily functioning
Work, relationships, sleep or social life are being negatively affected.
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Accompanying physical symptoms
Persistent palpitations, sweating or shortness of breath that don't have another medical cause.
Do you have anxiety? Five questions to ask yourself
These questions are not a clinical diagnosis. They are a starting point to help you decide whether professional support might be useful. Where it is, CBT therapy is the approach most often used for anxiety.
1
Have you felt anxious or on edge almost every day for the past six weeks?
2
Is it becoming difficult to stop or control the worry?
3
Has your sleep been disrupted, or do you feel constantly tired?
4
Is this affecting your work, relationships or social life?
5
Are you experiencing physical symptoms such as palpitations, sweating or shortness of breath?
If you answered yes to three or more, a psychological assessment could be a valuable next step.
When should you seek help?
If anxiety symptoms have lasted more than six weeks, are disrupting your daily functioning, or have led to avoidance behaviours, speaking with a psychologist is recommended. Early support makes treatment more straightforward. In Famagusta we look at these symptoms together through individual therapy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the symptoms of anxiety?
Anxiety symptoms fall into three groups: physical (palpitations, sweating, shortness of breath, muscle tension, sleep difficulties), emotional (persistent worry, fear, irritability, difficulty concentrating) and behavioural (avoidance, excessive control, social withdrawal).
Does anxiety go away on its own?
Mild situational anxiety can resolve once the stressor passes. However, anxiety that lasts longer than six weeks, disrupts daily life, or produces physical symptoms warrants professional support.
How is anxiety treated?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has the strongest evidence base for treating anxiety. Trauma-focused therapy approaches are effective for trauma-driven anxiety, and mindfulness-based approaches help break the anxiety cycle by anchoring attention to the present.
What causes anxiety disorder?
Genetic predisposition, prolonged stress, traumatic experiences, and learned thought patterns are among the main contributors. An overactive threat-detection system in the brain (the amygdala) also plays a physiological role.
Can anxiety disorder be fully overcome?
With the right treatment, anxiety can be significantly reduced and well-managed. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and, where appropriate, medication are the most evidence-based approaches.
Is constant worrying normal?
Some worry is normal. However, persistent, uncontrollable worry that spreads to many areas of life and lasts more than six months may indicate Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD). If it disrupts daily functioning, professional assessment is recommended.
Can anxiety cause physical symptoms?
Yes. Palpitations, shortness of breath, muscle tension, dizziness, sweating, and stomach discomfort are common physical manifestations of anxiety. A medical check-up to rule out organic causes is usually a helpful first step.