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| What Is the Difference Between Anxiety and Having an Anxiety Disorder?
What Is the Difference Between Anxiety and Having an Anxiety Disorder?
by Lisa C. DeLuca
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Overview
How much anxiety is too much?
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Anxiety is a normal and helpful human emotion. It motivates you to get or stay away from dangerous situations. It makes you study for that exam and get to work on time. But how can you tell when your anxiety surpasses normal levels?
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Consult a Professional
The best way to know whether or not you have an anxiety disorder is to consult a medical or mental health professional.
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Panic Attacks
If you are having panic attacks in situations where there is no danger present, you may have an anxiety disorder.
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Physical Symptoms
If your anxiety is repeatedly experienced as physical symptoms, like tense muscles, irritability, difficulty concentrating or flashbacks to traumatic events, this could be a sign of anxiety disorder.
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Excessive Worry
If you experience what feels like excessive worry about things in several different areas of life, and this occurs on most days during a six-month period, you may have an anxiety disorder. If you feel like you can't control the worry and it interferes with functioning at work or home, this could be cause for concern.
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Behavioral Symptoms
If your anxiety results in behavior you can't control, like phobic avoidance of places or things, or compulsive hand washing based on a fear of germs, you may have an anxiety disorder.
