Anxiety is a natural and adaptive response to stress or perceived threats. It involves feelings of unease, worry, and apprehension, often accompanied by physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, sweating, and muscle tension.
While occasional anxiety is common, it becomes a concern when it becomes chronic and interferes with daily life. Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive, persistent anxiety and can benefit from various treatments, including therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes.

Some of the main types of anxiety disorders are as follows:

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): Excessive worry and anxiety about various aspects of life
• Panic disorder: Recurrent and unexpected panic attacks
• Specific phobias: Intense fear of specific objects or situations
• Social anxiety: An intense fear of social situations and a persistent worry about being judged or embarrassed in front of others.
• Separation anxiety disorder: Excessive fear of separation from attachment figures, often seen in children.

Symptoms of anxiety can include:

• Excessive worry, fear, and restlessness
• Irritability
• A sense of impending doom
• Rapid heart rate and shortness of breath
• Racing thoughts
• Difficulty concentrating
• Avoiding anxiety-inducing situations or triggers

It’s important to understand that not everyone with anxiety will have all these symptoms, and their severity and duration can vary widely.

Teens and young adults may face different challenges, meaning that their anxiety symptoms can manifest differently. For example, young people may be anxious about school, friends, or future jobs. Also, anxiety can make young people feel more irritable, and they may take more risks. It’s important to notice these signs and connect people with support, like therapy, to prevent possible long-term issues.

Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health conditions globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 3.6% of people worldwide have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety can happen to anyone at any age, but it’s most commonly diagnosed in younger people and often begins in childhood.

The causes of anxiety vary from person to person, but it is believed to be a result of genetic, biological, and environmental factors. Genetic predisposition, brain chemistry imbalances, and chronic stress or trauma can all contribute to anxiety.