What is anxiety?

Anxiety

Anxiety (also called angst or worry) is a psychological and physiological state characterized by somatic, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral components. It is the displeasing feeling of fear and concern. The root meaning of the word anxiety is 'to vex or trouble'; in either presence or absence of psychological stress, anxiety can create feelings of fear, worry, uneasiness, and dread. However, anxiety should not be confused with fear, it is more of a dreaded feeling about something which appears intimidating and can overcome an individual. Anxiety is considered to be a normal reaction to a stressor. It may help an individual to deal with a demanding situation by prompting them to cope with it. However, when anxiety becomes overwhelming, it may fall under the classification of an anxiety disorder.

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Famous quotes containing the word anxiety:

    Man, so long as he remains free, has no more constant and agonizing anxiety than find as quickly as possible someone to worship.
    Feodor Dostoyevsky (1821–1881)

    If a person lost would conclude that after all he is not lost, he is not beside himself, but standing in his own old shoes on the very spot where he is, and that for the time being he will live there; but the places that have known him, they are lost,—how much anxiety and danger would vanish.
    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

    For these are moments only, moments of insight,
    And there are reaches to be attained,
    A last level of anxiety that melts
    In becoming, like miles under the pilgrim’s feet.
    John Ashbery (b. 1927)