Anxiety is “an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure,” as defined by the American Psychological Association (APA).
Anxiety's generally considered a normal and even necessary emotion, and everyone gets anxiety from time to time.
However, it's when a person experiences severe, relentless anxiety, that he or she may have an anxiety disorder.
When anxiety reaches the level of a disorder, it usually interferes with job performance, grades, and relationships, according to The National Institute of Mental Health.
Find out: What exactly is anxiety disorder, and do I have it?
If you suspect you might be living with an anxiety disorder, be sure to talk with your primary care physician and/or a licensed mental health counselor about your concerns.
In terms of lifetime prevalence, it's estimated that one third of adults with have an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.
To help determine if you have symptoms of an anxiety disorder, take Monarch’s 2-minute free anxiety quiz.
The Monarch Directory by SimplePractice can help you find a licensed mental health professional near you who specializes in anxiety.