Feelings of worry, nervousness, or unease. Review possible causes, self-care and warning signs that need medical attention.
About Anxiety
Feelings of worry, nervousness, or unease
Urgency category: urgent. Common clinician to consult: Psychiatrist.
Anxiety is a normal emotion but can become a mental health condition when it interferes with daily activities. It can cause physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, sweating, and trembling.
Anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias. Each type has different triggers and symptoms.
Treatment often includes therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. Early intervention can prevent anxiety from worsening.
Editorial update (28 September 2026): structured medical content awaits clinical reviewer sign-off.
How to interpret this symptom
Emotional or psychological symptoms can reflect stress, health conditions, medicines, substances or a mental-health condition. Severity, duration and effect on safety and functioning matter.
A clinician may ask about mood, thoughts, sleep, appetite, function, medicines, substances, physical symptoms and personal safety. Private assessment should include what support is available.
When anxiety may need urgent attention
This symptom is classified as urgent in the directory. Seek immediate local emergency or trusted-person support for thoughts, intent or plans to harm yourself or others, severe agitation, psychosis, inability to stay safe or inability to meet basic needs.
Possible causes
- Genetic factors
- Brain chemistry
- Environmental stressors
- Medical conditions
- Traumatic experiences
- Substance use or withdrawal
Self-care
- Practice deep breathing exercises
- Regular physical activity
- Limit caffeine and alcohol
- Get adequate sleep
- Practice mindfulness meditation
Self-care limits
Use supportive routines, reduce isolation, avoid alcohol or drugs as coping, and reach out early to trusted support. Do not stop prescribed mental-health medicines without the prescriber's advice.
When to seek medical help
- Anxiety interferes with work or relationships
- Anxiety causes physical symptoms
- Anxiety leads to avoidance of activities
- Anxiety causes panic attacks
Preparing for a consultation
- When symptoms began and what changed in daily life.
- Sleep, appetite, work, relationships and functioning.
- Medicines, substances and relevant life stressors.
- Any safety concerns and support available.
Questions worth asking
- What are the most likely and most important causes of Anxiety?
- Which warning signs should make me seek urgent or emergency care?
- Do I need an examination, tests or referral now?
- Which self-care measures are safe for me, and which should I avoid?
- Is Psychiatrist the right specialist for this pattern?
- When should I expect improvement, and when should I return or seek review?
Related conditions
Related clinicians
Medical information limitations
This page summarizes symptom information and cannot confirm a cause or choose treatment. Seek urgent care for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms.
Common questions
What does Anxiety mean?
Feelings of worry, nervousness, or unease A symptom is a reported experience or sign; it does not identify one diagnosis by itself.
What can cause Anxiety?
Possible contributors listed include Genetic factors, Brain chemistry, Environmental stressors, Medical conditions, Traumatic experiences. A cause cannot be confirmed without assessment.
When is Anxiety urgent?
This symptom is classified as urgent in the directory. Seek immediate local emergency or trusted-person support for thoughts, intent or plans to harm yourself or others, severe agitation, psychosis, inability to stay safe or inability to meet basic needs. Anxiety interferes with work or relationships. Anxiety causes physical symptoms. Anxiety leads to avoidance of activities
What can I safely do at home?
General measures listed include Practice deep breathing exercises, Regular physical activity, Limit caffeine and alcohol, Get adequate sleep. These are not a substitute for medical assessment when symptoms are severe, persistent or concerning. Use supportive routines, reduce isolation, avoid alcohol or drugs as coping, and reach out early to trusted support. Do not stop prescribed mental-health medicines without the prescriber's advice.
Who should evaluate Anxiety?
The listed clinician type is Psychiatrist. A general clinician can often assess the symptom first and refer you if specialist care is needed.
How should I prepare for a consultation?
When symptoms began and what changed in daily life. Sleep, appetite, work, relationships and functioning. Medicines, substances and relevant life stressors. Any safety concerns and support available. Bring medicines, recent reports and relevant photographs or readings where useful.
General information only. If symptoms are severe, new, persistent, or worrying, seek advice from a qualified clinician.