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What is anxiety, and how to manage it?

What is anxiety?

The American Psychological Association (APA) defines anxiety as “an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, thoughts of worry, and physical changes such as increased blood pressure.” It is normal and natural to feel anxiety because it is an adaptive state necessary for the proper functioning of the human being. However, when it is experienced excessively, regularly, and for no apparent reason, we may be facing a psychological disturbance that can have severe implications for the daily life of individuals.

How do we differentiate normal from pathological anxiety?

Normal anxiety is:

1. Something that arises in response to a concrete threat (e.g., fear in the face of an assault);

2. Situational (e.g., nervousness about public speaking; concern about a family member who is not well);

3. Something that, when not very intense, can even favor professional performance;

4. Temporary and short-term;

5. Common and normal.

Pathological anxiety is:

1. Chronic (i.e., regular);

2. An experience of intense and constant fear that causes unbearable discomfort;