Anxiety is both a mental and physical state of negative expectation. Mentally it is characterized by increased arousal and apprehension tortured into distressing worry, and physically by unpleasant activation of multiple body systems—all to facilitate response to an unknown danger, whether real or imagined.
What Is Anxiety? (Plain Language Explanation)
Anxiety refers to a pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that many people experience. While it can be challenging, it's also well-understood and treatable.
Key Terms to Know About Anxiety
- Symptoms: The specific ways anxiety shows up for you
- Triggers: Situations or thoughts that activate or worsen anxiety
- Evidence-based: Treatments backed by scientific research
- Comorbidity: When anxiety occurs alongside other conditions
3 Things Most People Don't Know About Anxiety
- Anxiety is far more common than most people realize
- Anxiety is not caused by weakness — it has identifiable biological and psychological causes
- Most people with anxiety see significant improvement with the right support
Your Next Steps
Learning about anxiety is just the beginning. If you think you're experiencing anxiety, speaking with a mental health professional is the most valuable next step.