Worry becomes a disorder when it dominates daily life. Anxiety as a clinical condition involves excessive fear or worry that is difficult to control and that interferes with functioning.

Symptoms include restlessness, muscle tension, sleep disturbance, concentration problems, and physical signs such as rapid heart rate or sweating. Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety, and specific phobias are common forms. Diagnosis rests on history and exclusion of medical causes that can mimic anxiety.

Treatment combines psychological therapies, particularly cognitive-behavioral approaches, with medication when needed. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and certain other agents reduce symptoms for many patients. Early recognition prevents secondary problems such as depression or substance misuse.

• Excessive, hard-to-control fear or worry
• Interferes with daily functioning
• Includes generalized, panic, social, and phobic forms
• Treated with therapy and sometimes medication