Anxiety is a normal response to stress, and isn’t always a bad thing. But when it gets to be uncontrollable or excessive to the point where it affects quality of life, this may be indicative of an anxiety disorder.
Knowing the difference between anxiety and an anxiety disorder can help you talk with your doctor about your symptoms and any concerns you might be having.
Anxiety disorder vs. feeling anxious
You might wonder what the difference is between feeling anxious and having an anxiety disorder, especially if you find yourself feeling anxious a lot.
There are several different types of anxiety disorders, including:
- generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- panic disorder
- specific phobias
- social anxiety disorder
- separation anxiety disorder
- agoraphobia
Generalized anxiety disorder can look a lot like “regular” anxiety at first. But it’s characterized by unrealistic or excessive worry about everything — even things you might not even be able to name. It also lasts at least 6 months and can get in the way of daily functioning.
GAD has symptoms like:
- trouble concentrating
- difficulty sleeping
- irritability
- fatigue
- muscle tension
- repeated abdominal pain or diarrhea
- sweaty palms
- rapid heartbeat
Typical anxiety is a response to stress, and this is normal. When the stressor is over, the anxiety usually goes away. In anxiety disorders, removing the stressor or trigger doesn’t always reduce the anxiety.
Anxiety caused by stress doesn’t generally significantly impair one’s life or cause distress. If your anxiety is disrupting your quality of life, it might be time to re-evaluate whether it may be an anxiety disorder.
How to tell the difference
Anxiety or being anxious isn’t always a bad thing. You can think of it almost as a spectrum or continuum of sorts. Sometimes it can help us prepare for things or help keep us alert in dangerous situations. It’s also a normal reaction to stress. But anxiety disorders aren’t a typical reaction to stress.
In general, two things need to be present that define an anxiety disorder, as opposed to simply being anxious:
- the anxiety is out of proportion to the situation or isn’t age appropriate
- it impairs the ability to function normally
Another common findingTrusted Source across anxiety disorders is out-of-the-ordinary and excessive anticipatory responding in the face of uncertainty.
We all face uncertainty in our lives. But someone with an anxiety disorder may anticipate the uncertainty and potential outcomes in a way that isn’t proportionate to the actual event.
An anxiety disorder is different from “normal” anxiety.
“Abnormal” anxiety is defined by excessive and persistent worries that don’t go away, even when there’s nothing to be stressed or nervous about. With an anxiety disorder, people usually try to avoid triggering situations or things that worsen their symptoms.
Real life examples
If you wake up one morning and you know you have a math test later that day, it’s normal to be nervous or anxious about the test.
Your heart might pound and your stomach might churn, and you might be thinking a lot about the test and your possible result. Once the test is over, you’re likely more relaxed, and physically back to normal.
If you wake up one morning and, for no reason, are convinced that something bad will happen to a loved one, think about it all day, and then continue to have intrusive thoughts about it the next day, that may be a sign of an anxiety disorder.
An anxiety disorder is often characterized by excessive and hard-to-control worry that occurs for most of the day, more days than not.
It might also consist of significant physical signs of anxiety like:
- headaches
- fatigue
- muscle pain
- trouble sleeping
- digestive problems
»MORE:Read more about the experience of someone living with GAD.
Managing an anxiety disorder
If you’re living with an anxiety disorder, know that it’s treatable and manageable. With appropriate treatment, you can feel better, so it’s worth it to get a correct diagnosis and subsequent treatment.
Treatment for an anxiety disorder can includeTrusted Source:
- psychotherapy, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- medication, like anti-anxiety medication, antidepressants or beta-blockers
- support groups
- stress management techniques
Other complementary treatments that may be used in conjunction with medication or therapy include:
- regular exercise like tai chi or yoga
- meditation or relaxation techniques
- improving diet
- massage or acupuncture
Read the full article Medically reviewed by Nicole Washington, DO, MPH / Healthline
