Anxiety
Anxiety is a natural response to stress or perceived threat, involving worry, nervousness, and physical arousal. It becomes a concern when it is frequent, intense, or interferes with daily life.
Definition
Anxiety is a normal emotion that helps us respond to danger, but it can become a problem when it is excessive or persistent. Anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder, and specific phobias. Screening tools measure symptom severity but do not diagnose an anxiety disorder.
What it can feel like
- Persistent worry that is hard to control.
- Racing heart, sweating, or shortness of breath.
- Avoiding situations that trigger fear.
- Difficulty concentrating or relaxing.
Related screening tests on LuriaLab
- Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)
- General Anxiety Disorder Test (GAD-7)
- Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21)
Related articles
- Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI): Free Online Anxiety Test
- GAD-7 Anxiety Test: Free Online Screening for Generalized Anxiety
- DASS-21 Test Online: Free Depression, Anxiety & Stress Screening
- Understanding Anxiety: Causes, Symptoms, and Coping Strategies
- Responsible AI in Psychological Assessment and Treatment
Related glossary terms
- Generalized Anxiety
- Panic Attack
- Social Anxiety
- Stress
- Rumination
- Panic Disorder
- Functional Impairment
- Fear of Negative Evaluation
Frequently asked questions
When does anxiety become a disorder?
Anxiety is considered a disorder when it is excessive, persistent, and interferes with daily functioning. A clinician makes that determination, not a screening score.
Which anxiety test should I take?
The GAD-7 is a good general anxiety screen. The BAI focuses on physical symptoms, and DASS-21 measures anxiety alongside depression and stress.
Sources
- NICE — anxiety disorders overview
- Spitzer RL, et al. GAD-7 validation (2006)