Constant tension, thoughts that won't let you sleep, a nameless dread you can't quite explain — these could all be signs of 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.
Anxiety symptoms fall into three groups: physical, emotional and behavioural.
Physical
Emotional
Behavioural
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)
The line can be hard to draw. The following factors suggest anxiety may have crossed into a clinical disorder:
Duration: longer than six weeks
If worry persists even after the stressor has passed, that is a significant signal.
Disproportionate intensity
When the level of worry is out of proportion to the actual threat and is hard to control.
Disrupted daily functioning
Work, relationships, sleep or social life are being negatively affected.
Accompanying physical symptoms
Persistent palpitations, sweating or shortness of breath that don't have another medical cause.
These questions are not a clinical diagnosis. They are a starting point to help you decide whether professional support might be useful.
Have you felt anxious or on edge almost every day for the past six weeks?
Is it becoming difficult to stop or control the worry?
Has your sleep been disrupted, or do you feel constantly tired?
Is this affecting your work, relationships or social life?
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.
Yes — with the right support, anxiety is highly manageable and often resolves fully. The main evidence-based approaches are:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Focuses on changing the thought patterns and avoidance behaviours that fuel anxiety. CBT has the strongest evidence base for anxiety treatment.
EMDR
Particularly effective for anxiety rooted in past traumatic experiences.
Mindfulness-based approaches
Anchoring attention to the present moment helps break the anxiety cycle and build body awareness.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.