Learn about NIMH research on anxiety disorders. Find resources on the signs and symptoms of anxiety disorders and potential treatments and therapies. Anxiety is a normal response to many of life’s stressors. But if it keeps you from fully participating in life, you may have a disorder that needs treatment. Find out how to tell. WHO fact sheet about anxiety disorders, including information on symptoms, contributing factors, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, self-care and WHO's work in this area. Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health conditions that cause fear, dread and other symptoms that are out of proportion to the situation. There are several types, including generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobias and social anxiety disorder. Treatment is effective and usually includes medication and psychotherapy (talk therapy). Anxiety may be distinguished from fear both conceptually and physiologically, although the two terms are often used interchangeably. Anxiety is considered a future-oriented, long-acting response broadly focused on a diffuse threat, whereas fear is an appropriate, present-oriented, and short-lived response to a clearly identifiable and specific. Anxiety is the reaction to situations perceived as stressful or dangerous. Anxiety disorders are manageable and curable with the right treatment and therapy. Anxiety is fundamentally a state of tension or disquiet inside of us that we desire to resolve, and it is most accurately defined as stress directed toward some future event or uncertainty. A classic definition of anxiety is an intolerance of uncertainty. Anxiety is an emotion characterized by an unpleasant state of inner turmoil and includes feelings of dread over anticipated events. [1][2] Anxiety is different from fear in that fear is defined as the emotional response to a present threat, whereas anxiety is the anticipation of a future one. [3] It is often accompanied by nervous behavior such as pacing back and forth, somatic complaints, and. Anxiety disorder due to a medical condition includes symptoms of intense anxiety or panic that are directly caused by a physical health problem. Generalized anxiety disorder includes persistent and excessive anxiety and worry about activities or events — even ordinary, routine issues. Anxiety is an emotion that causes increased alertness, tension, and physical signs, such as a rapid heart rate. Read on to learn more.