Anxiety is a feeling of fear, panic or terror that can interfere with your daily life and make it hard to function normally.

Anxiety can be triggered by a variety of situations, including the presence of a threat or a traumatic memory. It’s important to see your health care provider if you have anxiety that interferes with your life or doesn’t go away on its own.

Symptoms

Anxiety is a natural reaction to fear, worry or unease. But if anxiety is persistent and disruptive, it might be time to seek help from your doctor or a mental health provider.

Social connections with friends and family can be important for coping with anxiety. Whether it's in person, on the phone or via the internet, getting together can boost your mood and support you through difficult times.

You can also try mindfulness techniques to reduce your anxiety. For example, breathing in for 4 counts and out for 8 counts can help slow your heart rate.

Exercise can also help reduce feelings of stress. Doing brisk aerobic exercises releases brain chemicals that cut stress and improve your mood. It's especially helpful if you do them at least three to four times a week.

Causes

Anxiety is a response to an event, situation or object that triggers a sense of dread or fear. It can be caused by life events or stressors, such as a big event, illness or job loss.

People who have a history of mental health disorder are more likely to develop anxiety disorders than people without a history of these conditions. Childhood abuse, neglect or trauma is also linked to an increased risk of anxiety disorders later in life.

A person’s personality type can also influence their likelihood of developing anxiety, especially if they have high levels of neuroticism. Other environmental factors that increase a person’s risk of anxiety include stressful experiences in their lives, such as being bullied, moving often or having family problems.

Treatment

Anxiety is a common reaction to everyday life, but for people with an anxiety disorder, the feelings are usually more intense and can interfere with their daily lives.

There are a variety of treatments available to help manage anxiety. These include psychotherapy, medication and self-help strategies.

Therapy can help you learn to identify the triggers that cause your anxiety and teach you healthier coping methods. This is called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

Medication can help you control your symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe one of several types, such as benzodiazepines or antidepressants.

Taking medications does not cure anxiety; it helps you control your symptoms so that you can live a healthy and fulfilling life.

You can also learn to cope with your anxiety by tackling situations that trigger it in small steps. For example, if you are anxious about speaking in public, work out a plan for delivering a speech, and then practice it until you feel comfortable with it.

Prevention

Anxiety is a normal part of life, but it can become a serious disorder in some people. It can be a symptom of another medical problem or be the result of a traumatic experience, a chemical imbalance, or a combination of these factors.

Taking steps to prevent anxiety from occurring can be helpful. These include avoiding triggers, exercising regularly and adopting healthy lifestyle habits.

A therapist can also help you learn to challenge your negative thoughts and beliefs. This may involve questioning the evidence for your fears, analyzing unhelpful beliefs, and testing out your predictions about what you’re anxious about.

Keeping stress to a minimum can help with anxiety, so make sure you take time for relaxation. Exercise can also be a good way to release stress chemicals in your body.