What is anxiety? Anxiety is the feeling of worry, nervousness or dread that everyone experiences from time to time. It becomes an anxiety disorder when the feeling is out of proportion to the situation, does not go away, and starts to interfere with how you live your life. About a third of U.S. adolescents and adults experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. 1 , 2 Last updated August 10, 2026 · 17 cited sources What does anxiety feel like physically? What causes anxiety? How is anxiety different from stress, fear, or panic? What are the different types of anxiety disorders? How is anxiety treated? How does anxiety show up in relationships? Can anxiety occur alongside other conditions like ADHD or autism? If you need support now Explore the library Common questions Most read this month What other readers are opening most across this topic right now. Flight Anxiety Medication: A Comprehensive Guide to Conquering Your Fear of Flying Discover flight anxiety medication options from beta-blockers to SSRIs. Learn what doctors prescribe, safety tips, and how medication combines with ther... Aching Legs and Anxiety: Understanding the Connection and Finding Relief Aching legs anxiety is real. Learn why stress triggers leg pain, muscle tension, and weakness, plus evidence-backed relief techniques that work without p... Avoidant Personality: Understanding the Complexities of Social Anxiety and Withdrawal Avoidant personality disorder involves chronic social inhibition and fear of rejection. Discover signs, causes, treatment options, and how it differs fr... Anxiety and OCD: Understanding the Complex Relationship Between Two Common Mental Health Conditions Explore the complex relationship between anxiety and OCD, their symptoms, treatment options, and the importance of seeking help. Phobia of Big Things: Understanding Megalophobia, Triggers, and Treatment Megalophobia is the clinical fear of big things. Discover what triggers this phobia, how it differs from related anxiety disorders, and proven… What does anxiety feel like physically? Anxiety is felt in the body as much as in the mind. When you feel anxious or frightened, your body releases stress hormones including adrenaline and cortisol, which can speed up your heart and make you sweat more. Anxiety that runs on for longer often shows up as restlessness, tiredness, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension and trouble sleeping. 3 , 1 , 4 , 5 , 6 At its most intense, anxiety can build into a panic attack, with symptoms that can feel alarmingly like a heart attack: chest pain, a pounding or racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, trembling, tingling in the body or stomach upset. These sensations are frightening but not dangerous, and the physical symptoms usually settle with time. Physical feelings can also feed the worry itself. In health anxiety, for example, a headache or a racing heartbeat caused by anxiety is easily mistaken for a sign of illness, which then raises the anxiety further. What causes anxiety? There is no single cause, and the causes differ from person to person. Generalised anxiety disorder appears to come from a mix of genetics, brain chemistry, biology and environment, and living through a traumatic event or in a stressful environment raises the risk. Big life events such as buying a house, having a baby or planning a wedding can also bring on stress and anxiety. 7 , 3 , 1 For panic disorder the exact cause is not fully understood either, but most experts think a combination of biological and psychological factors may be involved, working through the same fight or flight response behind those physical symptoms, in which anxiety and fear release hormones such as adrenaline and raise breathing and heart rate. Agoraphobia can begin this way, when someone has a panic attack in a particular situation or environment and then worries so much about it happening again that they start avoiding that situation altogether. One practical point matters here: regular anxiety, fear or panic can be the main symptom of several health conditions, so it is worth seeing a GP rather than trying to work out the cause yourself. How is anxiety different from stress, fear, or panic? Occasional anxiety in response to a stressful event is a normal part of life. What marks out an anxiety disorder is intensity and persistence: worry that is out of proportion to the situation, hard to control on most days, and lasting months or even years. Panic is different again, arriving as a sudden wave of intense fear or a sense of losing control, often with no clear danger or trigger. 1 , 5 , 3 , 8 A panic attack usually lasts around 5 to 20 minutes, though it can run to an hour or longer, and it can strike at any time, sometimes even during sleep. Having one is not in itself a mental disorder, and not everyone who has a panic attack goes on to develop panic disorder. That diagnosis applies when the attacks keep happening unexpectedly and the fear of the next one starts to change how you live. A phobia is narrower still: a fear focused on a particular object or situation, strong enough to impair everyday life, usually through avoidance. What are the different types of anxiety disorders? The main ones are generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and the phobia-related disorders. Formal diagnostic categories also include separation anxiety disorder, selective mutism and specific phobias, which are grouped into animal, natural or environmental, situational, and blood injection injury types. 2 , 8 , 1 , 9 , 5 , 10 , 11 , 6 Generalised anxiety disorder involves difficulty controlling worry on most days for at least six months, alongside symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue or muscle tension. It develops gradually and usually starts in early adulthood, though it can begin at any age, and it is more common in women, including during pregnancy and after birth. Social anxiety disorder centres on situations where you might be judged or scrutinised, such as meeting new people, dating, job interviews or asking for help; it usually starts in childhood or adolescence and can look like extreme shyness. Panic disorder tends to begin in the late teens or early adulthood. Among the phobias, agoraphobia is a fear of situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable, and claustrophobia is a fear of confined spaces such as lifts, tunnels, tube trains and MRI scanners, thought to affect roughly one person in ten over a lifetime. Health anxiety, where worry about being ill or becoming ill takes over your life, is related to obsessive compulsive disorder. How is anxiety treated? Effective treatments exist, and they fall into two broad groups: psychological therapy and medication. Cognitive behavioural therapy is widely used, and for phobias it often takes the form of exposure therapy, which gradually and deliberately brings you into contact with the thing you fear. When self-help and lifestyle changes are not enough, medication may be offered, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the usual first choice. 12 , 11 , 10 , 13 , 3 , 6 Care is normally organised as a series of steps, starting with less intensive support and moving up to specialist mental health services if needed. The aim is complete relief of symptoms rather than partial improvement, because that is linked to better functioning and a lower chance of relapse. Several antidepressants, including escitalopram, sertraline, citalopram, paroxetine and venlafaxine, are licensed specifically for panic disorder. If anxiety sits alongside depression or another anxiety disorder, the more severe problem is generally treated first, and where someone is misusing substances harmfully or dependently, that is addressed first because doing so can substantially improve the anxiety. Your own preferences and how you have responded to treatment before should shape the choice. Alongside treatment, talking about how you feel, regular exercise such as walking, running, swimming or yoga, and eating regular meals to keep energy levels steady can all help, and cutting back on alcohol, drugs and caffeine is also suggested. How does anxiety show up in relationships? Anxiety often does its damage through avoidance. Symptoms can interfere with relationships as well as with work and study, and in severe cases a person may feel intense fear in ordinary situations, avoid social contact altogether, or refuse to leave home. 2 , 9 , 7 , 6 Social anxiety is the clearest example. The fear often feels uncontrollable, and someone may spend weeks dreading an upcoming social event, find it hard to make eye contact or hold a conversation even when they genuinely want to, and steer clear of places where they would have to interact with others. From the outside this can look like coldness or lack of interest when it is neither. Avoidance can narrow life geographically too, as it does when a panic attack in one place makes that whole setting feel off limits. And if your partner has health anxiety, you may find yourself repeatedly asked for reassurance, which is part of the pattern rather than a lack of trust in you. Can anxiety occur alongside other conditions like ADHD or autism? Yes, and it commonly does. NIMH-supported research is examining the overlap of anxiety with other disorders such as depression and eating disorders. Anxiety also appears common among autistic adults: a meta-analysis put pooled prevalence of any anxiety disorder at 27% current and 42% lifetime, though the underlying studies vary widely in method. 2 , 14 , 15 , 13 ADHD is also worth knowing about, although the figures depend heavily on where people are seen. In one study of 129 patients assessed at a specialist anxiety disorders clinic, 27.9% met criteria for adult ADHD; this was a treatment-seeking, tertiary care sample, so the rate is higher than would be expected across adults with anxiety generally. Among those with ADHD in that sample, the most common comorbid conditions were major depressive disorder (53.8%), social phobia (38.5%), impulse control disorders (30.8%) and generalised anxiety disorder (23.1%). Where generalised anxiety disorder occurs alongside a depressive or other anxiety disorder, NICE advises treating the primary disorder first, meaning the one that is more severe and where treatment is more likely to improve overall functioning. Explore the library Everything we have written on this topic, grouped by what you might be looking for. Physical symptoms and sensations The tingling, dizziness, throat tightness, and other physical sensations anxiety can trigger. Tingling Teeth and Anxiety: Understanding the Connection and Finding Relief Tingling Sensations and Anxiety: Understanding the Connection Between Physical Symptoms and Mental Health Body Shaking for No Reason: Anxiety-Induced Tremors Explained Stress-Induced Anxiety Chills: The Link Between Mental and Physical Symptoms Overactive Bladder: The Surprising Link to Anxiety and Stress Shaking from Stress: Why Your Body Trembles During Anxiety and How to Stop It Chills and Anxiety: Why Your Body Gets Cold When You’re Stressed Stress-Induced Dizziness: The Link Between Anxiety and Feeling Light-Headed Ear Pressure, Dizziness, and Anxiety: The Surprising Connection and How to Manage It Bladder Spasms and Anxiety: The Connection Between Urinary Issues and Stress The Intricate Connection Between Anxiety and Bloating: Causes, Effects, and Solutions Anxiety and Bladder Issues: The Surprising Link and Mind-Body Connection Anxiety Urination: How to Stop Stress-Related Frequent Urination The Intricate Connection Between Neck Pain, Dizziness, and Anxiety: Understanding and Managing Your Symptoms The Hidden Connection: Sinusitis, Dizziness, and Anxiety – Unraveling the Complex Web of Symptoms Anxiety and Dizziness: The Link Between Stress and Balance Understanding Anxiety Hands: Causes, Symptoms, and Coping Strategies Aching Legs and Anxiety: Understanding the Connection and Finding Relief Phobias and specific fears Specific fears, from claustrophobia to fear of doctors, and how they overlap with anxiety disorders. Driving Phobia: Overcoming Fear and Anxiety Behind the Wheel Social Phobia DSM-5: Diagnostic Criteria and Clinical Implications Phobia of Being Trapped: Understanding Claustrophobia and Overcoming Fear Agoraphobia vs Claustrophobia: Key Differences and Similarities Between These Anxiety Disorders Social Phobia Inventory: A Comprehensive Tool for Assessing Social Anxiety Phobia of Swallowing Pills: Overcoming Pill Anxiety and Finding Relief Phobia of Something Bad Happening: Overcoming Anticipatory Anxiety Phobia of the Unknown: Causes, Symptoms, and Coping Strategies Phobia of Someone Being Mad at You: Unraveling Anger-Related Anxiety Claustrophobia Medication for MRI: Effective Solutions for Anxiety-Free Scans Autism and Agoraphobia: Exploring the Connection, Causes, Symptoms, and Coping Strategies Cleithrophobia vs Claustrophobia: Unraveling the Distinct Fear of Being Trapped Agoraphobia Self-Care: Effective Strategies for Managing Anxiety and Reclaiming Your Life Phobia of Big Things: Understanding Megalophobia, Triggers, and Treatment Phobia of Showers: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options Public Speaking Phobia: Overcoming the Fear of Addressing an Audience Phobia of Not Knowing: Unveiling the Fear of Uncertainty and How to Overcome It Bridge Phobia: Overcoming the Fear of Crossing Bridges Agoraphobia Assessment: Comprehensive Tools and Questionnaires for Diagnosis Claustrophobia on Planes: Overcoming Fear and Anxiety During Air Travel Anxiety alongside other conditions How anxiety overlaps with ADHD, autism, OCD, and other conditions people often experience together. Anxiety and OCD: Understanding the Complex Relationship Between Two Common Mental Health Conditions Understanding ADHD and Anxiety in Children: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents Understanding the Complex Interplay: Autism, ADHD, and Anxiety ADHD and Anxiety Medication: A Comprehensive Guide to Managing Dual Diagnoses Diazepam and Adderall: Understanding the Interaction Between Anxiety and ADHD Medications Navigating ADHD and Anxiety in Children: Finding the Best Medication Approach BPD vs Anxiety: Understanding the Differences and Similarities Autism and Anxiety: Causes, Symptoms, and Management Strategies for a Complex Relationship The Complex Relationship Between Anxiety and OCD: Unraveling the Connection The Complex Relationship Between Anxiety and ADHD: Understanding Comorbidity The Best Cannabis Strains for Managing ADHD and Anxiety OCD ADHD and Anxiety: Managing the Triple Challenge of Co-occurring Mental Health Conditions Anxiety and ADHD Overlap: How These Conditions Intersect and Impact Daily Life The Center for OCD and Anxiety: Comprehensive Treatment Options for a Better Life Supplements for Anxiety and ADHD: Evidence-Based Natural Options for Dual Symptom Management Treatment and therapy options Medication, CBT, and other therapeutic approaches used to manage anxiety. Buspar and Wellbutrin for Anxiety: A Comprehensive Guide to Combination Therapy Overcoming Driving Anxiety: A Comprehensive Guide to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Techniques Anxiety Medication vs Therapy: Which Treatment Is Right for You? SPH CBT: Exploring Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Sexual Performance Anxiety Buspirone Anger: Can This Anti-Anxiety Medication Trigger Irritability? Buspirone and Brain Fog: Exploring the Connection Between Anxiety Medication and Cognitive Function Flight Anxiety Medication: A Comprehensive Guide to Conquering Your Fear of Flying Will Anxiety Medication Help with Overthinking? A Comprehensive Guide Buspirone as Needed for Anxiety

Effective Play Therapy Activities for Managing Childhood Anxiety Treatment-Resistant Anxiety: Exploring Medication Options for Persistent Anxiety Disorders Overcoming Anxiety About Taking Medication Non-Addictive Anxiety Medication: A Comprehensive Guide to Safe and Effective Treatment Options Occupational Therapy for Anxiety: A Comprehensive Guide to Effective Interventions and Treatment Managing MRI Anxiety: Effective Medication Options and Coping Strategies Anxiety compared to other emotions Where anxiety overlaps with and differs from fear, stress, angst, and other emotional states. Excitement vs Anxiety: Understanding the Fine Line Between Thrilling and Overwhelming Emotions Fear vs Anxiety: Understanding the Key Differences and Similarities Anxiety vs. Heart Attack: Decoding Symptoms and Key Differences Anxiousness vs Anxiety: Understanding the Crucial Differences and Similarities Trauma vs Anxiety: Understanding the Complex Relationship Between Psychological Distress and Emotional Responses Anxiety vs. Schizophrenia: Understanding the Differences and Connections Meltdown vs Anxiety Attack: Understanding the Differences and Similarities Understanding the Difference Between Stress, Anxiety, and Depression Exploring Anxiety Through Metaphors: Powerful Imagery to Understand and Cope Anxiety Brain vs Normal Brain: Understanding the Neurological Differences Exploring the Colors of Anxiety: Understanding Emotional Hues and Their Impact Types of anxiety Social anxiety, health anxiety, performance anxiety, and other named forms people search for. Social Anxiety Disorder: A Comprehensive Case Study Analysis OCD and Health Anxiety: Understanding the Complex Relationship and Finding Relief 10 Effective Activities for Managing Separation Anxiety in Children and Adults How to Help a Teenager with Social Anxiety: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents and Caregivers Overcoming Social Anxiety: A Comprehensive Guide to Effective Communication Overcoming Separation Anxiety in Adults Top 10 Performance Anxiety Books: Overcoming Stage Fright and Boosting Confidence Why Do I Get So Anxious When Someone Is Mad at Me: The Psychology Behind Conflict Anxiety Autism and Social Anxiety: Why Individuals with ASD May Avoid Social Outings Prostate Health, Anxiety, and Stress: The Complex Relationship Explained OCD vs Social Anxiety: Understanding the Differences and Connections Overcoming Planning Anxiety: A Comprehensive Guide to Managing Excessive Worry About the Future Autism and Social Anxiety: Unraveling Their Complex Relationship Avoidant Personality: Understanding the Complexities of Social Anxiety and Withdrawal ADHD and Social Anxiety: Understanding the Connection and Finding Relief Anxiety in relationships and social life Anxious attachment, texting anxiety, and the worries that show up in friendships and dating. Boyfriend Stresses Me Out: Signs, Causes, and Solutions for Relationship Anxiety Understanding and Coping with Family-Induced Anxiety Anxious Attachment with Friends: Navigating Relationships and Finding Security Dealing with Anxiety When He Doesn’t Text Back Anxious Attachment in Children: Recognizing Signs and Fostering Secure Bonds ADHD and Texting Anxiety: Understanding the Connection and Finding Solutions ADHD and Relationship Anxiety: Navigating Love with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Men with Anxious Attachment: Navigating Relationships and Personal Growth Overcoming Long Distance Relationship Anxiety OCD and Anxious Attachment: Unraveling the Complex Interplay Boundaries for Anxious Attachment: Essential Strategies for Healthier Relationships No Contact with Anxious Attachment: Navigating Emotional Challenges and Healing Diagnosing anxiety disorders The clinical side of anxiety, from diagnostic codes to assessment tools and disorder categories. F41.9 Unspecified Anxiety Disorder: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Anxiety and Related Disorders Interview Schedule for DSM-5: A Comprehensive Overview DSM-5 Phobia Classification: Criteria, Types, and Treatment Approaches Understanding Mixed Anxiety: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options Understanding the DSM-5 Code for Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety Agoraphobia DSM-5 Criteria: Understanding Diagnosis and Treatment Understanding Generalized Anxiety Disorder: DSM-5 Codes and Diagnostic Criteria Anxious Distress Specifier in Depression: Clinical Features and Treatment Implications Comprehensive Guide to Nursing Diagnoses for Anxiety: Assessment, Care Plans, and Interventions GAD and OCD Together: Can You Have Both Anxiety Disorders Simultaneously? More on Anxiety Everything else in this library that is not featured in a collection above. Wellbutrin and Zoloft Together for Anxiety: How the Combination Works Anxiety Reduction: 10 Proven Techniques for Immediate Relief Best Antidepressants for Sleep and Anxiety: Effective Treatment Options Loud Chewing Phobia: Exploring Misophonia and Sound Sensitivities MRI Claustrophobia Sedation: Effective Solutions for Anxiety-Free Imaging Claustrophobia Medication for MRI: Effective Solutions for Anxiety-Free Scans Clonidine for Sleep and Anxiety: Dosage Guidelines and Effectiveness Worsening Anxiety on SSRIs: Understanding the Paradoxical Effect and Finding Solutions Stress-Related Itching: Why Your Skin Reacts When You’re Anxious Effective Alternatives to Benzodiazepines for Anxiety Management Agoraphobia DSM-5 Criteria: Understanding Diagnosis and Treatment Longest Phobia Name: Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia Explained Xanax for Flight Anxiety: A Comprehensive Guide to Managing Air Travel Stress Navigating Parental Anxiety: Coping Strategies When Your Child Goes to College Common questions Is anxiety a mental illness or a normal emotion? It is both, depending on degree. Occasional anxiety is a normal part of life, but when it does not go away and begins to interfere with daily activities, it may be an anxiety disorder, something about a third of US adolescents and adults experience at some point in their lives. 1 , 2 Can anxiety cause physical symptoms like dizziness or nausea? Yes. Stress hormones released during anxiety can raise your heart rate and make you sweat, and panic can bring dizziness, chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath and stomach upset. Because these symptoms can also point to other health conditions, it is worth having them checked by a doctor. 3 , 4 What is the difference between anxiety and a panic attack? A panic attack is a sudden, contained wave of intense fear or discomfort, typically lasting around 5 to 20 minutes, often with no clear trigger and sometimes even waking you from sleep. Ongoing anxiety is more of a persistent background feeling of worry or dread that can last months or years. 3 , 5 , 1 Can anxiety go away on its own? Anxiety tied to a stressful life event often eases as the situation passes, but in generalised anxiety disorder the feelings can persist for months or years. If anxiety is not going away and is interfering with daily life, see a doctor rather than waiting it out, since full relief of symptoms is linked to better functioning and a lower chance of it returning. 3 , 1 , 13 Does anxiety get worse with age? Not necessarily, though anxiety disorders do have typical starting points: social anxiety usually begins in childhood or adolescence, panic disorder in the late teens or early adulthood, and generalised anxiety disorder develops gradually and often starts in early adulthood. 9 , 5 , 1 , 2 Can certain foods or supplements help with anxiety? Eating a healthy diet with regular meals to keep your energy levels stable is a sensible general measure, but complementary approaches have not been proven to treat anxiety disorders. Kava extract may have a moderate effect on anxiety symptoms yet has been linked to severe liver damage, so talk to your doctor before taking any supplement. 3 , 12 Is health anxiety the same as hypochondria? Yes, health anxiety is sometimes called hypochondria. It means spending so much time worrying that you are ill or about to become ill that it takes over your life, and treatment may involve a talking therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy or medicine for anxiety. 17 , 6 What is the difference between agoraphobia and claustrophobia? Agoraphobia is a fear of situations where escape might be difficult or help would not be available if something went wrong. Claustrophobia is a fear of confined spaces such as lifts, tunnels and tube trains, and the fear is usually less about the space itself than about what might happen inside it. 10 , 11 , 8 Every claim on this page is linked to a source we have checked. If you spot something out of date, please tell us. 1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder: What You Need to Know National Institute of Mental Health 2. Anxiety Disorders National Institute of Mental Health 3. Get help with anxiety, fear or panic NHS 4. Panic Disorder (Statistics) National Institute of Mental Health 5. Panic Disorder: What You Need to Know National Institute of Mental Health 6. Health anxiety NHS 7. Causes - Agoraphobia NHS 8. Claustrophobia (StatPearls) National Center for Biotechnology Information, NCBI Bookshelf (2023) 9. Social Anxiety Disorder: What You Need to Know National Institute of Mental Health 10. Overview - Agoraphobia NHS 11. Claustrophobia NHS 12. 7 Things To Know About Complementary Health Approaches for Anxiety National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health 13. Generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder in adults: management (CG113) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2011) 14. Anxiety and depression in adults with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis PubMed (Psychological Medicine) 15. Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in an Anxiety Disorders Population PubMed Central (CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics) (2011) 16. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 17. Hypochondria (or health anxiety) South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust